Our Journalists

Michael WrayFederal political reporter

Michael Wray covers federal politics from the relative comfort of Brisbane outside the Canberra bubble. He has written for leading global publications including Time, London’s Sunday Telegraph, The Independent, Finance Asia and The Sun while based in Hong Kong. He has reported extensively from Asia including reporting trips in China, North Korea and Mongolia.

Michael Wray

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QLD News

The Australian Army’s first Boxer vehicle at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane. *** Local Caption *** On 24 September 2019 the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, Deputy Secretary Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Tony Fraser, Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO; Head of Armoured Vehicle Division, Major General David Coghlan, AM, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Global Head Vehicle Systems, Ben Hudson and German Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Dr Thomas Fitschen, welcomed the first Boxer vehicle for the LAND 400 Phase 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle at a ceremony at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane. The LAND 400 program will provide the Australian Army with a fleet of modern armoured fighting vehicles characterised by increased levels of protection, lethality and mobility. The new vehicles will be equipped with modern and highly capable sensors and communications suites which will ensure the new vehicles remain a potent weapon system over the next 30 years. LAND 400 Phase 2 is scoped to acquire 211 Boxer 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles Drive Modules and 223 Mission Modules to replace the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle.

$5.9bn combat vehicle buy offers ‘value’

An audit has found the Army’s $5.9bn purchase of 211 Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles was competitive.

QLD News

Pictured from Brighton Le Sands is the Qantas 747 plane VH-OEJ as it departs Sydney for the last time.Picture: Christian Gilles

Stranded Aussies turned down flights home

Shocking numbers of Aussies overseas are desperate to get back before Christmas, although some have turned down the chance.

QLD News

Generic photo of Macarthur Coal's Coppabella Mine southwest of Mackay. Source: Macarthur Coal Ltd. via Bloomberg News EDITOR'S NOTE: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO SALES. NO ARCHIVING.

Qld economy lags but jobs bounce back

Queensland’s economic “bounce back” was the second-worst in the nation last quarter, beating only locked-down Victoria.

Police & Courts

ABC TV video still of self-styled Islamic radical Abdul Nacer Benbrika (aka Abu Bakr) during an interview with ABC-TV at his home in Melbourne.

Terror boss stripped of citizenship

Abdul Nacer Benbrika wanted to make history with the biggest terrorist attack on Australia but will instead make his mark with another “first”.

QLD News

The moment an army tank almost takes out a major general at a military parade in Townsville. Picture: Supplied

Epic fail as army tank almost takes out major general

The moment an army tank almost takes out a major general during a military parade at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville has been caught on video. WATCH IT HERE

QLD Politics

Jim Chalmers who found a melanoma. Pic Peter Wallis

‘Something dodgy’: Shadow treasurer’s wake-up call

He’s a Queensland-based MP and possible future prime minister – and he’s just had a health scare that jolted him out of complacency.

QLD News

Royal Australian Air Force Airfield Defence Guard Robert Phillips and army infrantryman Shane Holt.

‘Forever loved’: Shock deaths of young dads rock Brisbane Vets

The tight-knit Veteran community has been shocked after a spate of suicides in the past three weeks, with tributes flowing for two Brisbane-based Defence members who left behind young children.

QLD Politics

Aerial view of Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland.

$13b industry that’s there for the taking

A new report has identified a $13 billion export markets that is ready for the taking and will help lead the entire nation out of its COVID catastrophe.

QLD Politics

People queue up outside a Centrelink office in Melbourne on April 20, 2020, which delivers a range of government payments and services for retirees, the unemployed, families, carers and parents amongst others. - A report from the Grattan Institute predicts between 14 and 26 per cent of Australian workers could be out of work as a direct result of the coronavirus shutdown, and the crisis will have an enduring impact on jobs and the economy for years to come. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

State’s big achievement amid 7.7pc jobless rate

Queensland’s unemployment rate has risen to 7.7 per cent, but the state Treasurer says that doesn’t tell the full story in the year of COVID-19.

QLD Coronavirus News

This picture taken on November 17, 2020 shows a syringe and a bottle reading

Vote now: Would you take a COVID-19 jab?

In a concerning revelation, little more than half of Australians definitely intend getting a coronavirus vaccination when available. ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/journalists/michael-wray/page/9