Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Liam O'Connell
NLRB Reinstates General Motors Standard for Misconduct During Protected Activity
October 6, 2026 To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: On September 23, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board issued a decision in Lion Elastomers LLC. In its decision, the Board held that General Motors LLC, 369 NLRB No. 127 (2020) is once again controlling Board precedent for determining whether employees lose the protection of the National Labor Relations Act when they engage in abusive conduct in connection with otherwise protected union activity.
Central Queensland rescue helicopters go to tender to continue services
Rescue helicopter services in central Queensland face an uncertain future as the state government seeks a single provider in Mackay and Rockhampton. The community-funded CQ Rescue in Mackay and Capricorn Rescue in Rockhampton provide emergency care to a combined population of about 485,000. Both services were founded by their communities through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events, along with state government contributions.
Fears Glenden will become a ghost town after legislation change
The state government has introduced legislation to repeal a requirement for a nearby coal mine to house its workforce in Glenden. The mayor says the council and Glenden community were "blindsided" by an abrupt policy reversal. Registrations of interest will open to buy houses, commercial buildings, and a lease of the entire town, Plans to save a small Queensland mining community from becoming a ghost town are being scrapped under proposed laws.
BHP subsidiary class action begins over public holiday work
A class action has been launched against Australia's biggest mining company, BHP, months after the Federal Court found one of its subsidiaries improperly required employees to work on public holidays. The Federal Court ruled last year that Operations Services (OS), a subsidiary of BHP, breached the Fair Work Act by requiring 85 employees to work on Christmas Day 2019 at the Daunia mine near Moranbah, in Central Queensland.
Doctor shortage morphs into 'patchy' success for rural health
Liam O'Connell and Ellie Willcox In his early days as a solo general practitioner in rural Queensland, Ewen McPhee remembers them as both exhilarating and exhausting. "I have evidence I worked for three days without getting any sleep at all," he said. Despite the long nights and mounting pressure, Dr McPhee ended up staying for decades in the central Queensland town of Emerald. He said the turning point came with the arrival of the community-owned "super-clinic" in 2012.
Doctor shortage morphs into 'patchy' success for rural health
In his early days as a solo general practitioner in rural Queensland, Ewen McPhee remembers them as both exhilarating and exhausting. "I have evidence I worked for three days without getting any sleep at all," he said. Despite the long nights and mounting pressure, Dr McPhee ended up staying for decades in the central Queensland town of Emerald. He said the turning point came with the arrival of the community-owned "super-clinic" in 2012.
Mackay hospital expansion confirmed as government releases revised master plan
Liam O'Connell and Bryn Wakefield An under-pressure north Queensland hospital is being expanded under a revised state government master plan with construction to begin 2027. The revised master plan for Mackay Base Hospital released on Tuesday includes the 128 beds that were first promised in 2022 by the previous government, but no additional beds. Stage 1 of the new plan includes a clinical services building, car parks, a stand-alone birth centre and rooftop helipad by 2030.
Counterfeit notes seized as North Queensland grapples with 'waves' of fake cash
Cristy-Lee Macqueen and Liam O'Connell Macean Francis was excited to hold a bundle of $50 notes in his hand after selling his motorbike. It marked the start of the 18-year-old's savings fund to buy a more reliable vehicle for the 45-minute commute from his home in Seaforth to his job as an apprentice barber in Mackay. "I needed that money because I wanted to buy parts to fix up a car," he said.
Central Queensland University underpaid staff by $1.3 million, Fair Work finds
Central Queensland University (CQU) has been forced to pay $1.3 million in entitlements to former and current staff. Underpayments, which date back to the 2012 enterprise agreement, were reported by the university to the Fair Work Ombudsman after the discrepancies were discovered in April 2023. The figure is equivalent to an average of about $1,250 per staff member. CQU says its payroll system had not been configured correctly to deal with some awards.
SEQ business fined $1,200 after sparking fire ant scare in Central Queensland
A south-east Queensland business has been fined about $1,200 for breaching a biosecurity zone by sending a pallet of bricks infested with fire ants to a Bowen Basin mine site. The fire ants then spread to four other coal mines, sparking a helicopter baiting program which cost $1 million. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program would not name the business that supplied the second-hand bricks, which are crushed on mine sites and used as a road-base.
Isaac council abandons plans to restrict road trains following farmers' criticism
A North Queensland council has abandoned plans to restrict road trains from using five key freight routes after criticism from farmers opposed to the changes. The Isaac Regional Council has assessed more than 60 per cent of the roads it manages using mapping from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), identifying several routes used by B-double trucks and road trains that do not meet current safety requirements.
Suspected space junk washes up on north Queensland beach
Authorities are trying to determine how to safely contain a growing cluster of mysterious space debris that keeps washing ashore on a north Queensland beach. Hazmat-suit-clad emergency services are back on Forrest Beach near Ingham on Sunday investigating more potentially hazardous unidentified space objects.
Clermont community bands together for slow, steady flood recovery
Allan Kelly had driven on the flooded Gregory Highway before, but when he felt his ute start to move sideways, he knew he and his daughter were in trouble. "Not my greatest moment as a father," the Clermont-based property owner and church pastor said. The ute eventually became stuck in a table drain, and Mr Kelly and his daughter were forced to sit on the top of the vehicle until 2am. "I got out and I tested the water and I got up onto the road, it was just above my knees," he said.
Indonesian company Ithaca Resources secures $200 million deal for Vitrinite assets
; ; ; Continue reading More for You ; ; Continue reading More for You
What North Queensland thinks of Rinehart's idea of giving islands to Musk for satellite launches
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart's suggestion of offering up Queensland islands to Elon Musk for launching satellites and setting up microchip manufacturing has been met with a mixed reaction from local tourism and business groups. In a speech on Thursday, Mrs Rinehart said "sparsely or non-populated" islands off North Queensland's coast should be offered to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk "at no cost" for building and launching satellites.
Closure of Mackay private hospital a loss that will 'make everything worse'
The 34-bed Mackay Private Hospital is closing with operator Aurora Healthcare citing rising operational and maintenance costs. The hospital has provided longer-stay physiotherapy and mental health care for patients across north Queensland. Former patients and health practitioners say the community will feel the loss and hope specialists keep working locally.
$6 million of cocaine found near burnt-out truck at boat ramp in Whitsundays
Packages of cocaine estimated to be worth $6 million have been found floating in the sea and near the remains of a burnt-out truck at an isolated north Queensland boat ramp. Emergency services found the packages after they were called to a truck fire. (Supplied: Queensland Police) In a statement police said 40 kilograms of cocaine was found at the Jimmys Rock boat ramp at Midge Point, 100 kilometres north of Mackay, about 8am on Saturday. They said the drugs had likely come from overseas.
Fishermen and dog rescued off Whitsunday coast after fishing boat sinks
Two men and a dog have been retrieved from a lifeboat after their boat sank off the North Queensland coast. The men were rescued by a nearby bulk carrier and flown back to Mackay this morning. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said the incident was a reminder to maintain emergency beacons.
Apprehension as Dhilmar buys one of Australia's largest coal mining operations
Bryn Wakefield, Yasmine Wright Gittins and Liam O'Connell The purchase of Australian coal mines and community infrastructure by a little-known international mining company is causing concern among workers and Queensland residents. On Monday Dhilmar Ltd acquired Anglo American's five steel making coal mines and extensive community infrastructure in a deal worth up to $5.43 billion.
Apprehension as Dhilmar buys one of Australia's largest coal mining operations
; ; Continue reading More for You
Vitrinite employees owed $16 million as Vulcan mine bids come due
Workers at the troubled Vulcan coal mine in Central Queensland are owed more than $16 million in entitlements, according to a winding up application in the Federal Court. The mine's owner, the Brisbane-based Vitrinite group of companies, went into voluntary administration on February 22 this year with debts of more than $400 million. The mine, about 200 km south-west of Mackay, employed 348 people when it ceased operation, according to the report by administrator Cor Cordis.
Mining giant Bravus to sue council for $22 million in dispute over unsealed access road
A legal stoush between a regional council and one of Australia's largest coal mines over an access road has deepened in the Queensland Supreme Court. In a decision handed down today, Justice Sean Cooper gave Bravus — formerly known as Adani — leave to claim $22 million from Isaac Regional Council in Central Queensland.
Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne calls for federal government to step up veteran support
One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has called for a national rethink on the care of veterans and their families. Keith Payne, now aged 92, saved the lives of 40 wounded soldiers in the battle of Ben Het during the Vietnam War. His bravery in 1969, while under enemy attack and being injured himself, was recognised the following year when Queen Elizabeth II presented him with the Victoria Cross.
National Indigenous Cricket Championships offers pathways for young players
The National Indigenous Cricket Championships are being held at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay until Sunday. Eight men's and five women's teams have travelled across the country to compete. The championships are part of Cricket Australia's high-performance program and a key pathway for young talent. Every week for the past five months, Caitlyn Henry has driven two and a half hours from her home in Mount Garnet in Far North Queensland to play cricket in Cairns.
Program: Indigenous cricketers in national competition
Australia's top indigenous cricketers are battling it out in Queensland this week, as part of the National Indigenous Cricket Championships. The competition is a key pathway for players, and provides an opportunity to represent both their states, and their mob.
Scientists push to have platypus listed as 'vulnerable' on conservation register
Jessica McDonald thought she saw a rat scurry across the road while picking up a friend from a north Queensland pub. But something made her pick up her phone, and she quickly found out the "rat" was a platypus. Loading... "He was very speedy, very fast," the Ilbilbie local said. "I didn't expect platypuses to be that fast." Ms McDonald said she was also surprised to find the marsupial more than half a kilometre from the banks of the Pioneer River in Marian, west of Mackay.
High Court rejects BHP's attempt to appeal Same Job Same Pay order
The High Court of Australia has rejected an appeal from mining giant BHP to overturn a Same Job Same Pay ruling at three of its largest Queensland coal mines. The ruling focused on labour hire workers employed by Operations Services (OS) at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's (BMA) Goonyella Riverside, Saraji and Peak Downs mine sites in the Bowen Basin.
Queensland maritime authorities criticised for 'slow' wrecked boats salvage
Boat wrecks still line parts of north Queensland's coast months after Cyclone Koji crossed between Bowen and Ayr. Maritime Safety Queensland says it has dealt with hundreds of wrecked boats over the past 12 months and salvage contractors in some locations are "stretched". Local residents have called for quicker salvages to prevent further pollution. Maritime authorities have promised that a boat wrecked on rocks by Cyclone Koji in North Queensland more than two months ago will be cleaned up "soon".
Mia Isabelle Ryan remembered as 'star in sky' at Mackay funeral
An 18-year-old woman killed in a car crash in North Queensland has been remembered as a glittering, energetic "star in the sky". Mia Isabelle Ryan was fatally injured in a two-car collision on March 25 at Glenella in Mackay's north. She was taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a critical condition but later died. At her funeral service on Thursday, where mourners spilled outside the door, her mother, Nicole Ryan, described her death as a "perfect storm of tragic consequences".
Inquest into Mackay grandmother's death hears of 'shortcomings' in private hospital's after-hours staffing
Mackay woman Robyn Beale died on August 3, 2021, following thyroid surgery at Mater Private Hospital Mackay. The Queensland coroner criticised the hospital for "systemic shortcomings" but found Ms Beale would have died from a bleeding complication regardless of the facility she was in. The hospital says it has made a number of changes to improve monitoring after surgeries.
Doongmabulla Springs case proceeds to civil trial in Queensland's Supreme Court
A legal stoush over the Queensland government's role in protecting a sacred site in Queensland's Galilee Basin will proceed to trial in the Supreme Court. The Nagana Yarrbayn Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodians began legal action against the state government two years ago, alleging the Environment Department had not done enough to protect the Doongmabulla Springs.
Central and southern Queensland brace for more rain as tropical low tracks south
Queensland's south-east could expect additional falls of up to 150mm today, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, as much of the state remains on flood watch. Tropical low-pressure system 29U crossed the far north Queensland coast on Friday and has drenched much of the state as it travelled south.
Tobacconist targeted by arsonists four times destroyed by molotov cocktails
Police have not ruled out a link to organised crime in an arson attack where Molotov cocktails were thrown through the windows of a north Queensland tobacconist. The fire last weekend was the fourth at the Mackay tobacconist this year, with the blaze rapidly spreading to neighbouring businesses. Detective Acting Inspector Chris Eaton, from the Mackay Whitsunday District Crime Group, said previous fires at the shop in Celeber Drive, Andergrove, caused minor damage.
Boxing prodigy Ciara Storch punching above her weight on world stage
Ciara Storch spends 12 hours a day working as a dump truck operator at a coal mine. But as soon as she's done, the lightweight boxer can't wait to train on a baking-hot open-air tennis court her dad calls "the prison yard". "I just love to punch people in the face," she says. She's not talking about her teammates, who say they look up to her. The fighter is talking about chasing wins around the globe. But she says for now, she's laser-focused on improving her timing and accuracy.
Fresh melioidosis infections spark warnings for North Queensland flood clean-up
Four people have been hospitalised with a potentially fatal soil-borne illness in North Queensland as the clean-up from a week of heavy rain continues. Two people from the small community of Armstrong Beach in Mackay's south, one from Seaforth north of Mackay, and another from Bowen in the Whitsunday region are all being treated for melioidosis at the Mackay Base Hospital. All four people, aged between 67 and 89, had been exposed to mud or recent floodwaters.
Clermont couple build online flood tracker in just hours to warn neighbours
IT professionals Steve and Emma Coochin built their 'Gauge' website within hours of rapid creek rises near their hometown of Clermont in central Queensland. They believe more can be done to make weather and flooding information more accessible and reliable. The site has expanded to include weather warnings and creek and river data from across Queensland.
Senior Queensland doctor cleared of allegations after 14-month suspension
A Queensland chief health officer at the centre of a high-profile investigation has returned to work after being suspended for 14 months. The Mackay Hospital and Health Service's (MHHS) chief medical officer (CMO), Charles Pain, returned to work on Monday, after an external investigation cleared him of all allegations. Dr Pain was suspended from his role on September 28, 2024.
Clermont's only GP clinic closes after hospital doctor suspended
A Central Queensland town of 3,000 people has lost its only permanent GP and hospital doctor after he was suspended by the local health service. Tim Lane announced in a Facebook post on Monday he would permanently close the doors of his GP clinic at Clermont, 380 kilometres west of Rockhampton, this Friday. In a statement to the ABC, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) said Dr Lane was suspended "pending the outcome of a serious workplace matter".
Global miner BMA drops Queensland mine expansion plan
Mining giant BHP Mitsubishi Alliance will not invest in expanding its Saraji East coal project in Central Queensland despite receiving state government environmental approvals this week. The company said it would not commit to new or expanded mining projects under the current coal royalty scheme. Federal government approval would still be needed for the mine expansion to commence.
Magistrate reserves decision to commit alleged toddler murder case to trial
The mother of a four-year-old boy found dead in a backyard pool in the small community of Munbura in North Queensland has faced a committal hearing. The hearing in Mackay Magistrates Court heard a post-mortem investigation found no clear cause of death, with the defence arguing the evidence was not strong enough to go to trial. Magistrate Lewis Shillito has reserved his decision on referring the matter to Queensland’s Supreme Court.
Mackay Base Hospital expansion paused as contractor withdraws from site
The construction of about 130 hospital beds at the Mackay Base Hospital has been put on hold with the project doubling in price. The discovery of asbestos and cultural artefacts on the site, as well as soil conditions, has contributed to the project's price tag more than doubling to $520 million. Brisbane-based builder BESIX Watpac has so far completed the first stage of the project, originally due to be built and complete next year.
Mining towns, tourists left without EV chargers on key inland routes
Electric vehicle owners wanting to travel on key inland Queensland highways are unable to do so after some routes missed out on state government funding. There are no EV purpose-built charging points on the Peak Downs Highway in central Queensland. Service stations say it is not commercially or technically viable for them to install the energy-hungry infrastructure.
Freight Factoring Signup Made Simple for Busy Fleet Operators
By Liam O'Connell, freelance writer. For fleet operators, waiting for invoice payments can stall business-critical operations. This cash flow gap makes it difficult to cover daily expenses, like fuel, maintenance and payroll, which stalls a business's growth. Luckily, there is a straightforward solution to this common challenge — freight factoring. It provides customers with flexibility while getting immediate payments to fleet professionals.
Photographer Shane Batham settles action against Hamilton Island operators over art classes
Photographer Shane Batham has settled a court action against the operators of Hamilton Island over claims an art class reproduced his photos without permission. The company has denied any wrongdoing. Copyright experts say the claim is an interesting test case for painting classes nationwide. A prominent landscape photographer has settled a court action with one of Australia's largest island operators after claims it misused copyrighted photos.
Mackay cane train driver critically injured after locomotive collides with truck
A train driver is in hospital in a critical condition with leg and pelvic injuries after the third cane locomotive derailment in the Mackay region in the past fortnight. Emergency services were called to Oakenden, south of Mackay, shortly after 12pm on Monday when a cane locomotive and a B-double truck collided at a level crossing. The driver was trapped until Queensland Fire and Rescue officers could cut him out of the badly-damaged cab.
Bruce Highway diverted in North Queensland as thick smoke threatens visibility
Heavy smoke from a grass fire has forced the closure of the Bruce Highway near Proserpine in North Queensland. Fire crews were called to the area just north of the small community of Bloomsbury around 11am on Wednesday. Traffic is being diverted off the highway, and motorists are being told to expect some delays and reduced visibility because of the smoke. Authorities have described the blaze as "slow-burning", but said parts of the terrain had been tricky to access.
Man in hospital after shooting near Mackay
Police have set up a cordon near cane fields south of Mackay in north Queensland after a man was shot in the hip this afternoon. Queensland Ambulance Service said the man, aged in his 40s, was taken to Mackay Base Hospital around 3pm after the shooting on a farm at Homebush. A hospital spokesperson said the man was in a stable condition and being treated in the emergency department.
Firefighters tackle Brisbane bushfire, dozens of other incidents after hot weather
Queensland firefighters are responding to more than 100 incidents across the state, including a bushfire at Brisbane's Enoggera Reservior. A Prepare to Leave advisory has been issued for residents near the slow-moving bushfire burning near Betts Road. A broader Watch and Act warning is in place stretching from Mount Nebo Road, Betts Road and Camp Mountain Road.
Queensland youth worker jailed for nine years for 22 child exploitation offences
A North Queensland youth worker has received a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to 22 child exploitation charges, including raping a child and possessing almost 2,000 images and videos. Devante Lorenz KR Richardson, 26, was sentenced after pleading guilty in the Mackay District Court on Wednesday.
Near-blinded police officer reunites with those who saved him after rural motorcycle crash
As John Kenworthy rounded the corner of a winding narrow road in north Queensland he felt his police bike slip out beneath him. He was riding on an unfamiliar road near Calen, north of Mackay, responding to a triple-0 call from a family with two children in a car that had rolled 15 to 20 metres down an embankment. As he left the road and hurtled through a grassy paddock in August 2020 the senior constable could hear his bike flip out of control and the engine splutter as it came to a stop.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Liam
Contact Liam, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack