Safety Conference

Safety Conference 2026

Learning from the Past. Shaping the Future

Regional Queensland's most anticipated event dedicated to advancing safety leadership and practices is BACK.

Hosted in the vibrant city of Mackay, this flagship conference is your opportunity to gain cutting-edge insights and connect with leading professionals across industry. The Resource Industry Network Safety Conference is situated in the epicentre of regional manufacturing and mining, bringing together like-minded professionals and industry experts.

Friday 29 May 2026MECC7:00am – 4:00pm

About the conference

The 2026 Safety Conference will feature presentations from leading experts, practical and cost-effective solutions, and inspirational stories designed to equip attendees with the skills and information they can take back to their workplaces.

This year’s theme, Learning from the Past. Shaping the Future, will guide the day’s conversations and presentations, with a focus on sharing lessons, building capability and strengthening safety outcomes across industry.

What to expect

  • High-impact keynote presentations from industry leaders
  • Practical insights and tools you can apply in your workplace
  • Opportunities to connect with peers across mining, manufacturing and METS
  • A full-day experience focused on improving safety outcomes

Keynote speakers

The 2026 Safety Conference will feature leading voices in safety, engineering and industry, bringing real-world experience and critical insights to the stage.

Dr Sean Brady
Brady Heywood

Sean is a forensic engineer with Brady Heywood who investigates engineering failures from both a technical and organisational perspective.

In 2020, he completed the Brady Review, an investigation into the causes of fatalities in the Queensland mining industry. The review was tabled in Parliament and made 11 recommendations to the regulator and mining companies on how to improve safety.

In 2024, he completed the technical and organisational investigation into the catastrophic failure of a turbine generator at Callide C Power Station in Queensland, Australia.

Sean also speaks, writes and podcasts on the causes of technical and organisational failure.

Dr Sean Brady

Dr Tristan Casey
New View Safety

Dr Tristan Casey is a seasoned ‘scientist-practitioner’ with experience across private consulting, academia, and government. He is an endorsed Organisational Psychologist with over 15 years’ expertise in the practical management of health, safety, and wellbeing. Dr Casey has developed numerous award-winning training programs, measurement tools, and academic publications. He is a keen advocate of the positive links between safety, wellbeing, and overall job performance. Dr Casey is currently co-founder and Director of New View Safety, a boutique consultancy specialising in bespoke training, management system optimisation, and applied research.

Dr Tristan Casey

Coroner Wayne Pennell
Mining & Resources Coroner

Wayne Pennell is Queensland’s inaugural Mining and Resources Coroner, appointed to strengthen how the state investigates and learns from fatalities across the resources sector. With a background in policing, law and tribunal work, Wayne brings over two decades of investigative and legal experience. His role marks the return of a dedicated coronial focus on mining - ensuring incidents are examined thoroughly, lessons are identified and findings are shared to help prevent future tragedies. Wayne is leading efforts to address a backlog of inquests while overseeing investigations into fatalities across mining, quarrying, petroleum and gas operations. His work plays a critical role in improving safety outcomes, providing clarity for families and helping industry better understand where and how things go wrong and what needs to change.

Coroner Wayne Pennell

Event host

Mick Crowe
CEO, Bravus Mining & Resources

Mick Crowe, CEO of Bravus Mining & Resources, will host the 2026 Safety Conference.

Mick Crowe

Conference details

Date: Friday 29 May 2026
Location: Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC)
Time: Registrations from 6.45am, conference from 7.45am – 4:00pm

A light breakfast will be provided in Hall A for your enjoyment.

Secure your place

Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of Central Queensland’s leading safety leadership event. Tickets are now available.

Resource Industry Network is the largest membership organisation in the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday and Bowen Basin region, supporting businesses across mining, manufacturing, engineering and METS.