Former supervisor Ryan Martin escaped a major methane blaze at a Queensland mine and helped source bottles of water to pour on severely burnt colleagues.

Cameron Munster has always given his heart for the Queensland side, but Wednesday night's State of Origin decider carried extra meaning after the death of his father.

Queensland skipper Cameron Munster led Queensland to a remarkable series win in the third State of Origin match.

More than 2,000 labour hire workers employed by BHP in Central Queensland will be paid thousands of dollars more, in a major test of the federal government's laws requiring they be paid the same as directly employed workers.

Once a year Kabra, on the outskirts of Rockhampton, becomes the mud-racing capital of Australia.

A huge marine danger area has been declared on Queensland's Capricorn Coast for the next week as Exercise Talisman Sabre's multinational land, sea and air combat exercises unleash live ammunition.

Hoofing it to Canada: Emerald's Matt Pearce will represent Australia this weekend at the International Livestock Auctioneer Championship at the Calgary Stampede in Canada. It comes after he took out the National Young Auctioneers competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show earlier this year.
 

Photo: Pearce celebrates his win at the Royal Easter Show in April. Image credit: Nutrien Ag Solutions
 

Call to cut red tape: The Gladstone Regional Council needs to cut red tape and speed up approvals for housing developments, a new advocacy group says. Private town planner Stephen Enders is spearheading the Gladstone Agnes Water Development Group to provide a voice for the industry. He's concerned about the recent number of appeals lodged against the council in the Planning and Environment Court. Mr Enders claims the number of appeals represents difficulties in getting approvals through. The Gladstone Regional Council was contacted for comment.
 

Nurses take action: Thousands of nurses and midwives refused to perform a range of duties this week in an escalation of industrial action against the Queensland government. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union ramped up its campaign for better pay and working conditions, and the state's hospitals are bracing for disruptions. The union is adamant patient safety remains a priority and says only non-clinical duties will be affected. The union has rejected the state government's latest pay offer of an 11 per cent increase over three years and is pushing for a 13 per cent rise over three years.
 

Boost for local shows: A boost in state government funding for the Claremont Show has been welcomed by its president Scott Hensley as costs continue to rise. Queensland show societies will each receive more than $3,500, in addition to their annual funding this year. Mr Hensley says every bit of support helps, but it's still facing a volunteer shortage.
 

Bushfire season prep: Rural Fire Service Queensland wants residents to start preparing their properties ahead of summer. Bushfire mitigation acting manager Naomi Scott says life-saving strategies — including firebreaks, planned burns and putting management plans in place — are essential. Keep up to date with warnings and incidents in your area with ABC Emergency.