Mornings with John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about two council matters: "Facilities Going Cashless" and "Security Guards at Libraries". The crime emergency plaguing Cairns and Far North Queensland has now crept into public libraries with the Cairns Regional Council now employing security to protect staff and the community. The other hot topic of local controversy is the Council's internal move away from accepting cash payment at the Cairns transfer station. Enraged resident, Frankie Hogan, has organised a petition that is fast gathering signatures to express the want for cash payment options. You can find the "Bring Back Cash Payment Option to CRC Facilities" petition at supportive businesses/groups. List Below: TEN06 Cafe Bar 79 Sims Esplanade, Yorkeys Knob Kels Kitchen Takeaway Hargreaves St, Edmonton Friendly Grocer 29-31 Hardy Rd, Mount Sheridan Helgas Pancake House 45-47 Spence Street, Cairns Oasis Kebab & Pizza 83 Esplanade, Cairns The Source Bulk Foods Hop 10/85 Lake St, Cairns Snoogies Health Bar Main St Arcade, Between Lake and Grafton Sts, City Barista Sista Rusty’s Market, Sheridan St, Cairns CRM Raw Materials Comport St, Portsmith Spence Street Barbers 1/46 Spence St, Cairns Copy Shop Print & Signs 8/25 Grafton St, Cairns Urban Iron Cafe and Takeaway 26 Scott St, Bungalow Bushmans Pies 187 Scott St, Bungalow AMX Super Stores 341 Mulgrave Rd, Bungalow Viola Shop T54, DFO Westcourt West Cairns Bowling Club 216 Gatton St, Westcourt Round the World Home and Gifts Next to Best and Less, Earlville Shopping Town Jamaica Blue Cafe In front of Coles, Earlville Shopping Town Earlville Superette 66 Balaclava Rd, Earlville

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Bob from Mooroobool, about wasted policing resources in the face of escalating crime. Bob spoke about public drunkenness and anti-social behavoour, explaining his recent experience of people being threatened on the Cairns Esplanade. A situation that is getting worse as governent fails to ensure the duty of care it owes people. The conversation moved onto the "000" emergency call line and how one is now directed away from a local police station to speak with an out-of-state operator who cannot respond to known locations are cairns and Far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Dale Last, Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services, about the ongoing crime emergency after incidents of courtroom brawls and police being chased by offenders. A fight erupted in a courtroom between relatives of the victims and defendant, during the hearing of a teenager who was allegedly driving the vehicle that killed 14 year old Bradley Smith. Earlier this week, in Townsville, three stolen vehicles attempted to run a marked police car of the road by performing tactical manourvers. The frightened officer retreated to a nearby police station to seek refuge. The crime crisis continues in Far North Queensland while communities desperately look toward the Queensland Government for support.

John MacKenzie chats with Warren Entsch, LNP Federal Member for Leichhardt, about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Mr. Entsch is not convinced that the "voice" will create a concrete era of positive change for Indigenous communities because propnents cannot explain what the voice is or how it will work. Advocates have stated that all questions and frameworks regarding the voice should only be explained after a successfull referendum, effectively asking voters to hand them a blank cheque.

John MacKenzie chats with Linda Tuck, Principal of Property Ladder Real Estate, about rental pressures, shortages, and the impact crime is having on tenants and landlords. Linda Tuck experinces the horrors and financial worries of repeated home invasions, as doors, locks and windows are dmaged in order to gain entry to invade someone's personal safe space. The cost of increased security puts additional stresses on all parties, as tenants plead with landlords to wear costs of ever-increasing security measures. The Queensaland Goverment is introducing new laws to curb escalting youth crime but many stakeholders have critisied the laws as inadequate.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Byrne, Executive Manager of Enterprise North and Former Mayor of Cairns, about the proposed Banned Drinking Register for Cairns. The Mayors of Cairns, Townsville, and Mount Isa penned a letter urging the State Government to introduce a Banned Drinkers Register, where a magistrate can issue an individual with a ban on alcohol sales. Mr. Byrne countered the Cairns Regional Council's idea by explaining that alcohol can still be easily accessed by problem individuals. "...get them off the streets into diversionary facilities..." Kevin Byrne said.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Detective Inspector for the Far North District Crime Group, to provide an update about Rajwinder Singh's court appearance following his successful extradition from India. Rajwinder Singh is being charged with the murder of Toyah Cordingley in 2018. Mr. Singh landed in Cairns yesterday after remaining a fugitive for four years. The Queensland State Government offered a record $1-million reward that led to his capture. Detective Inspector Goan has been at the forefront of this case and its developments.

John MacKenzie chats with Mark Perry, CEO of TARGA Australia, about the return of the Targa Great Barrier Reef event in September 2023. After the racing and all-round car-lovers event was cancelled in 2022 due to safety, TARGA will return this year with some changes following Motorsports Australia’s release of a safety report. 94 recommendations have been made in regard to cars, driving standards, courses and safety. TARGA GBR will be held 1st to 3rd September 2023.

John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, State Leader of the Opposition and LNP Member for Broadwater, to hear his response to the Palaszczuk government's changes to youth crime legislation. Mr. Crisafulli is pushing for tougher and realistic penalties that address juvenile criminal activity and protect the rights of the victims, reiterating the fact that no one should be living in fear. David agreed that the "scales of justice need to be recalibrated in favour of the victims", a quote made by the Mareeba Shire Council in regards to crime.

John MacKenzie chats with Neville Fry, Tinaroo Dam Water-sports Enthusiast, about dams and alternate water sources for the Atherton Tablelands. Mr. Fry explained that there was opnce a proposed dam for Millstream, near ravenshoe, which would be an additional source of water to the dam at Koombooloomba. The Millstream dam was once proposed as a source of hydroelectricity and for excess water to be piped to Tinaroo for irrigation purposes.

John MacKenzie chats with Councillor Lenore Wyatt, Mareeba Shire, about the approval for eco-accommodation cabins to be built in the beautiful forests of Speewah. Many see this as a positive step toward the much-needed recovery of Far North Queensland's tourism sector.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Susan McDonald about a letter signed by the Mayors of Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa calling for the State Government to introduce a "banned drinking register". A register would be compiled by magistrates who could ban individuals from purchasing takeaway alcohol. Senator McDonald has voiced her support for the move as a positive effort to help curb Queensland's exacerbating crime crisis. Meanwhile, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has not embraced the idea, declaring the difficulities of its practical application.

John MacKenzie chats with Ian leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about the State Government's proposal to amend juvenile justice laws to better reflect community needs. Mr. Leavers makes the salient point that lawmakers increasing maximum sentencing penalties is redundant if judges and magistarates make no effort issue them. Communities across Queensland are are breaking point as they face unprecendeted levels of juvelile crime, with massive pressure being applied to the Palaszczuk Goverment to reflect the needs of society. Some changes include: - Increasing maximum senteces - More severe penalities for offences commited after dark - Increased panalties for posting crimes on social media - Construction of two new youth detention centres The interview with Ian Leavers is timely considering the news that the Mayors of Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa have sent a letter to the deputy premier, Steven Miles, asking for a "drinkers ban register" where a magistrate can issue a ban or limit on an individual purchasing alcohol.

John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Local Crime Emergency Activist, about youth offenders and ways to address the growing crime problem in Far North Queensland. For several years now, Mr. Harley gives up his time to support disadvantaged youth in the community by excaping the cycle of drinking, drug-use, violence, and crime. Ken has pointed to foetal alcohol syndrome as one of many route problems causing a lifestyle of misery. "What we need to start some action is a room full of people wioth common sense and a good heart" Ken Harley explained.

John MacKenzie chats with Neville Fry, Tinaroo Dam Water-sports Enthusiast, about the idea floated to expand the amount of water in Tinaroo by dredging. A "Letter to the Editor" in today's Cairns Post, by Jennifer from Edge Hill, argues that there should be an end to "co-called environmental flows" and that dregding the dam would be a sure way to increase water capacity. Neville Fry provided his local knowledge and expierence as a long-term frequenter of Tinaroo Dam in the Atherton Tablelands.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, about the Palaszczuk government's announced crime-fighting policies for Queensland. The reintroduction of breach of bail laws was the surprise announcement, as the policy had hitherto been condemned by the state Labor party. "In 2016, the Labor government removed... breach of bail for youth offenders" Mr. Goldsworthy said in today's Cairns Post, "[and] in 2019 the government further weakened youth justice laws by passing legislation yhat was designed to facilitate more grants of bail...". Queenslanders are at a breaking point with the crime crisis being of utmost concern in their communities. The elected state governemnt must act now before things excaerbate further.

John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Chairman of the Redcliffe Highway Proposal (an alternate tablelands access route), about the Kuranda Range following yet another vehicle accident and temporary closure. The quality of the road is demonstrably dangerous as sink holes have allegedly formed. Mr. Harley continues putting pressure on the Queensland state goverment to address the long term solution that is access to the tableland via Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Alicia Prince, Head of Operations at Cairns Airport, about the announced $50-million upgrades at the international terminal. The upgrades that will begin next month will be the first in 3 years. It is a move welcomed by our tourism industry. Some upgrades will include new escalators, refurbished check-in and arrivals areas, new external cladding, and 4 state-of-the-art glass "airbridges".

John MacKenzie chats with Chris Roach, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services Ranger, about the "Felixer" feral cat trap that uses A.I. (artificial intelligence) technology. The traps use artificial intelligence to distinguish between a feral cat and other animals, then shoots them with a poison gel, which is consumed by the feline during its grooming habits. A trial run of the technology is beng done in the Wooroonooran National Park, near Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Professor Marcus Lane, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academy JCU, about the increase in student enrollment numbers and the expansion of their dentistry program. Domestic student numbers have increased by 15% compared to the same time last year, with international enrollments seeing a 17% surge. JCU is also expadning their dentisry program with 106 new students ready to begin their studies in 2023. This brings the total number of full-time dentisry students to 430.

John MacKenzie chats with Brett Olds, CRC Councillor for Division 9, about the Cairns Regional Council's move to not accept cash as a form of payment at select facilities. Cr. Olds slammed the move as unfair in a modern society, as cashless services have been introduced at the Library and Waste Transfer Station. The Council did not vote to end cash payments, the change was implemented without the need for loacl repsresentative approval.

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Alan from Kamerunga, about a large crocodile recently trapped and removed from the same location that saw his daughter's dog snatched and killed by a rogue crocodile in December 2022. Following the attack last year, calls were made for authorities to remove the oversized crocodile before a human is targeted. The near-14 metre reptile was successfully trapped and removed from the Barron River at Caravonica on January 23rd by the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation.

John MacKenzie chats with Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Newton, District Officer Far North Police District with QPS, about the rise in theft and assault rates in Cairns and Far North Queensland. It has been revealed that FNQ has experienced the worst growth in crime rates in comparison to the rest of the state. Cairns is seeing the highest offence rate in over 20 years, currently standing at over 18,000 offences per 100,000 people. Many fear that post-traumatic stresses and mental health issues will escalate as crime increases, with many pleas being made by discouraged residents for our elected leaders to uphold their duty-of-care to the community.

John MacKenzie chats about crime and car thefts with Locky Bensted, Mareeba Shire Councillor, and Dale Last, LNP State Member for Burdekin and Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services. Cairns and Mareeba Shires are some of the worst crime-affected areas in the state and in desperation, local councillors are stepping up to weigh in on state government policy-making. Shadow Minister Last agreed with the sentiment of Cr. Bensted that it is the role of all community leaders to come together and speak out against the exacerbating crime crisis. Cairns and Mareeba now have more per capita car thefts than Brisbane City.

John MacKenzie chats with Roger Ward, Director of Cairns Mortgage Brokers and Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, about the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate rise of 25 basis points to 3.35 percent. It is being predicted that there will be a noticeable dent in the number of prospective first-home buyers looking to enter the market in Far North Queensland as the repayments on a $500,000 property will increase by approximately $76 per month. This is the Reserve Bank of Australia's 9th interest rate rise since May 2022.

John MacKenzie chats with Chris Pigott, Aviation Australia Business Manager for North Qld & NT, about exciting aviation engineering training for young people. Aircraft maintenance engineers are in short supply following the coronavirus pandemic and a local cohort of 26 is welcome news for the aviation industry. Cairns Airport is working with Jet Aviation and Skytek, with Aviation Australia coming on board as the training provider. For more information click this link: https://tinyurl.com/37f3pyz5 or email [email protected]

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Moller, CRC Representative for Division 1, about safety initiatives and the future of the Babinda Boulders following yet another drowning. Cr. Moller ruled out the radical suggestion by one expert to "Shut it Down" to all visitors and locals. High-impact and provocative signage is to be added to highlight the inconspicuous dangers that lurk under the water's surface after suggestions were recommended in a report conducted by Cairns Regional Council this year. Image Babinda Boulders: Sheba_Also 43,000 photos, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

John MacKenzie chats with Sally Watson, Executive Officer SHAC (Shelter Housing Action Cairns), about the housing crisis facing many FNQ residents. The latest statistics show an alarming number of Queenslanders are either homeless, living in overcrowded conditions, or spending over 30 percent of their income on a rental property. Cairns stands at nearly 9 percent of its population, or 8800 households, that are experiencing housing unaffordability.

John MacKenzie chats with Sergeant Dave Raymond, Officer in Charge of Cairns Dog Squad, about the loss of much-loved Queensland Police dog, Thor. Sgt. Raymond shared some highs and lows of working with police dogs, including a rather prickly situation involving barbed wire. Thor located over 300 offenders during his six-year service.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Cathy Zeiger, CRC Representative for Division 3, about the potential sale of council-owned properties. The option for Cairns Regional Council to sell, lease, or donate properties in an effort to tackle the homelessness and housing crisis was revealed as a part of the Council's action plan. The review, however, would not be completed until 2026. Questions have been raised as to whether the plan would provide practical solutions to effectively provide affordable housing options.

John MacKenzie chats with Ian leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about "Jack's Law" and metal detection wands being introduced in Cairns. After a successful trial period in the Gold Coast, metal detection wanding will be expanded to other areas around Queensland. Some academics argue that wanding will not deter stabbings or youths from carrying knives, however, the trial has seen over 650 convictions and has already saved lives. "Jacks Law" was established in response to the stabbing of Gold Coast teenager, Jack Beasley, in 2019.

John MacKenzie chats with Danny Betros, Managing Director of CBRE Cairns, about the state of Cairns City's CBD and a necessary post-Covid revival strategy. Mr. Betros also spoke about the state of commercial spaces and building upkeep and maintenance, which can have a drastic effect on the performance of the tenanted businesses. "A lot of areas... has got to reinvent itself from purely retail to more commercial office, food and bars that is more suited to the uses of a CBD nowadays" Mr. Betros said.

John MacKenzie chats with Dale Last, Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services, about the Palaszczuk government's proposal to increase penalties for juvenile criminals, and whether they will work for the community. Some of the proposed changes include: - Increasing maximum penalties for auto theft - More severe penalties for offences committed at night - Penalties for promoting crimes on social media - Construction of new detention centres

John MacKenzie chats with Tim Mander, LNP State Member for Everton and Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works, about the state's lack of spending on social housing. The Queensland state government is spending less per capita than other states and the total spending bill for social housing infrastructure has been decreasing over the last few financial years. This comes at a time when Queenslanders are facing a rental and accommodation crisis. Tim Mander also commented on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's response to the crime emergency plaguing Alice Springs.

John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about the reignited debate regarding daylight savings time being implemented in our state. Robbie Katter explained how regional dwellers would suffer from artificially lengthened working days and additional hours of oppressive heat. Macca and Robbie also touched on the crime crisis facing Cairns, Townsville, and Far Northern Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Gavin King, 4CA Announcer & former State Member for Cairns, about the passing of former State Minister Vaughn Johnson. The former Transport Minister (1996-1998), Chief Whip under the Newman Government, and Order of Australia recipient (2020), Vaughn Johnson, passed away aged 75, over the weekend. Mr. Johnson spent over 25 years in the Queensland parliament as the Member for Gregory (1989-2015) and held many shadow cabinet positions and one ministership during his time.

John MacKenzie chats with Ezzy Wells, Owner of Adventure Cairns & Beyond, about her experiences with criminal activity in the Cairns CBD. Comments on crime are a hot topic after the Mayor of Alice Springs, Matt Paterson, made calls for the Australian Defence Force or Australian Federal Police to assist with the violent crime emergency crippling local residents.

John MacKenzie chats with Nigel and Kirstie Spiller who tell their horror story of waiting a month for lost luggage. Their experience comes as airline operators have been facing pressures after losing luggage and baggage handlers being caught mistreating customers' personal items. Mr. Speller gave a word of warning, "Take photos of everything... of your bags, of security tags". Photos can help you identify your luggage to operators in the event of misplacement.

John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, State Member for Barron River, about the government's plans to upgrade the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns City and Smithfield. The plans are out and public comments are being sought about stage one of the $395-Million masterplan for Cairns' north. New bridges, signal upgrades, and the widening of the road to 6 lanes between Grove St and the Smithfield Bypass are being proposed. Provide your opinions to the Queensland Government. Click on the link to "Have Your Say" on this project: https://tinyurl.com/3397ut39

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Rossco from Townsville, about the need to educate troubled youth. Basic mathematics and language skills are not being taught effectively, which sets up young people for future failure in social integration and positive behaviour. Calls are being made for the state government to do more to help solve the issue of youth crime and recidivism.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Byrne, Executive Manager of Enterprise North and Former Mayor of Cairns, about the passing of Senator and former Major General, Jim Molan. Kevin Byrne served alongside Jim Molan during his time in Papua New Guinea. Senator Molan began his career in the military, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1971, and eventually rose to the ranks of Major General. Molan was the Chief of Operations in Iraq during 2004-2005, he released his first book in 2008 and successfully ran for the senate in 2017. Senator Molan died peacefully this morning, aged 72.

John MacKenzie chats with Locky Bensted, Mareeba Shire Councillor, about a proposed heavy vehicle bypass for the town of Mareeba. The community is being consulted for their views and opinions on the bypass that would see heavy traffic diverted away from Mareeba's main thoroughfare. Locky also commented on the juvenile crime emergency and advocates his support for a remote youth program to build skills and education in an effort to curb criminal behaviour.

John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, local Crime Emergency Activist, after yet another terrifying home invasion in Cairns. A woman pretended to remain asleep with her two-year-old while the invaders ransacked her house.

John MacKenzie chats with Associate Professor Michelle Wykes, Group Leader of Molecular Immunology at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, about breakthrough cancer research in regard to both breast and bowel cancer. The discovery of a so-called "master switch" is being understood in efforts to potentially turn on vital dendritic cells, which act like the generals of the immune system, to fight particular tumours. "We're seeing palpable tumours that completely disappear and melt away," Michelle Wykes said.

John MacKenzie chats with Roderick "Roddy" Rees, Sole Director of Cairns Adventure Group and Raging Thunder Adventures, about investing $3 million into his tourism business. Mr. Rees is building a new depot and office and adding five new buses to his fleet as the return of international visitors is being eagerly anticipated. "We want to show that confidence to the industry," Mr. Rees said, "We feel really confident that people will be coming back to this area in droves."

John MacKenzie chats with Danny Betros, Managing Director of CBRE Cairns, after his calls for action to curb itinerant behaviour in Cairns by reopening the Quigley Street night shelter. The 40-bed accommodation centre was an alternative to the watch-house for heavily intoxicated people but was padlocked shut since the start of the covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Betros is calling on the state government to make any necessary repairs to the complex and reopen it promptly.

John MacKenzie chats with Alan Benn whose daughter's dog was snatched and killed by a known crocodile at Kamerunga Regional Park on Wednesday. Mr. Benn erected a sign warning visitors, and especially children, of a dangerous crocodile, but callous extremists removed the sign to display their own, pro-dinosaur message. The Department of Environment and Science removed a 2.4-meter crocodile from the area on the same day after the attack but reported the second sighting of an even larger reptile.

John MacKenzie chats with Margy Osmond, CEO of the Tourism and Transport Forum of Australia, to chat about all-things tourism for Cairns and far North Queensland. Margy was in town yesterday to announce Virgin's new flights between Cairns and Tokyo to begin June 28, 2023. The daily flights are expected to bring in 30,000 tourists each year. Furthermore, the Chinese market should rebound in 2023 as their borders are expected to reopen following Covid-19 lockdowns.

John MacKenzie chats with Leon from Edmonton about his experience with troubled youths and the efforts needed to turn their lives around. Cairns and Far North Queensland have been experiencing an increase in juvenile crime and anti-social behaviour, and many people have questioned the ability to curb the trend. Leon has first-hand experience working with troubled young offenders, relating to them, and providing the support needed to turn their lives around.