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Michael McKennaQueensland Editor

Michael McKenna is Queensland Editor at The Australian.

@McKennaattheOz

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FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - AUGUST 28, 2025. Queensland Minister for Women Fiona Simpson speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Queensland redefines what ‘woman’ means

The formal definition of what is a woman in Queensland has been dramatically changed by the Crisafulli government, after it quietly overturned Labor’s more inclusive version.

Mackenzie Scott, Sarah Elks and Michael McKenna

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

Smart Energy Councils International Ambassador Annastacia Palaszczuk speaking to members at the Smart Energy Queensland convention Brisbane 27th August 2024 Picture David Clark

Palaszczuk joins (UQ) Senate

Elections aren’t behind former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was elected to the University of Queensland’s Senate last week, as her ever-growing resume expands again.

Sarah Elks, Mackenzie Scott and Michael McKenna

exclusiveNation

David Crisafulli, Clive Palmer and Queensland Nickel.

Queensland Premier wants Palmer to reopen nickel refinery

A decade after its dramatic collapse left 800 workers jobless, Queensland’s government is pushing to resurrect the Yabulu nickel refinery under Clive Palmer’s ownership.

Michael McKenna

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

Premier of Tasmania Will Hodgman speaks at the 61st Federal Council of the Liberal Party of Australia at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra, Saturday, October 19, 2019. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Revealed: the man selling Queensland to the world

Queensland’s new trade tsar has been revealed and he’s … a Tasmanian, and a Liberal, and a former premier, as David Crisafulli concedes the ageing membership of the LNP is a ‘big challenge’.

Sarah Elks and Michael McKenna

Mount Isa Mines InfrastructureMount Isa, Copper Smelter

Deal done to save Glencore smelter

A joint state-federal taxpayer-funded deal has been struck with Swiss mining giant Glencore to keep open its copper smelter in the Queensland mining town of Mount Isa.

Michael McKenna

exclusivePolitics

Former Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers. Picture: David Clark

Pay for unused sick leave a ‘tradition’: ex-union boss seeks $500k payout

A former Queensland Police Union boss is demanding benefits he concedes he is not legally owed after quitting the job last year.

Michael McKenna

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

9 May 2025; Peter Dutton reflects as the Liberal Party seeks renewal through its core values. A return to small government, personal responsibility and free enterprise is seen as the path forward. Can the Liberals reconnect with the community and regain lost ground? Sources: iStock and News Corp Australia. Artwork by Frank Ling. Ratio 4:3. For DIGITAL.

Election wipeout: too old, too white, too blokey

A leaked internal review has laid bare the existential crisis facing Queensland’s LNP, with one startling revelation about the average age of its membership.

Sarah Elks, Mackenzie Scott and Michael McKenna

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

Supplied image of Annastacia Palaszczuk for Sky News Australia QLD State Election 2024.

Palaszczuk’s back on the campaign trail in run for (UQ) Senate

Former Queensland premier and adjunct professor Annastacia Palaszczuk is seemingly running in another election with a clunky pitch to voters.

Michael McKenna and Mackenzie Scott

FEEDING THE CHOOKSFeeding the Chooks

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - NOVEMBER 23, 2021. United Australia Party leader Clive Palmer looks on during a press conference with Liberal Democrats senate candidate Campbell Newman in Brisbane. The two parties announced a preferences exchange deal ahead of the next federal election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Clive to trumpet no more?

Billionaire Clive Palmer is cooking up new plans after the spectacular failure of his Trumpet of Patriots party at the May federal election.

Sarah Elks, Michael McKenna and Mackenzie Scott

CommentaryNation

Queensland Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber and Premier David Crisafulli announce $50 million in funding to streamline the process of government support offered to victims of crime in Cairns on Thursday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Action is required even if it’s behind closed doors

David Crisafulli’s reaction to Laura Gerber’s office issues is reminiscent of Annastacia Palaszczuk who, over three terms, rarely carpeted a minister for incompetence or misconduct.

Michael McKenna

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/michael-mckenna/page/2