Legislation that would implement the recommendations of a Royal Commission into the Pike River mining disaster has unanimously passed its first reading in Parliament.
The commission made several recommendations, including setting up a new Crown agency to focus solely on health and safety, and tougher mining regulations.
Labour Minister Simon Bridges said Parliament owed it to the 29 men who lost their lives at Pike River to follow through on all of the commission's recommendations.
He told the House the law changes represented a step change in health and safety regulations.
The bill will now be considered by the transport and industrial relations committee.
