Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Brett Olds, CRC Councillor for Division 9, about the convenient timing regarding the early departure of Mayor Bob Manning and the introduction of a new mayor and deputy quite close to an election. The vote to replace the Mayor without an election fell just within the limits of the law and was chosen by Cairns Regional Council last week, with the unity team's majority vote elevating Terry James to the top position. The replacement for the Deputy, as well as the new division 4 councilor (needed to replace Terry James's seat), will also not require an election and will instead be chosen by the council. Cr. Olds said that it gives The Unity Team an unfair advantage as incumbents in the upcoming election in 2024.

John MacKenzie chats with Danny Betros, Managing Director of CBRE Cairns, about the council's mismanagement of Anzac Park beside the Casino. Danny also brought to life the plans to revamp Mondo's, the riverfront restaurant at The Hilton. Anzac Park is seeing a growing problem with itinerants and drunks who frequent the popular tourist area, resulting in a bad image for Cairns. Mr Betros said in his opinion that nonsensical red tape is being used as an excuse for a council that is weak and lacking true leadership.

John MacKenzie chats with Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), following 3 days of tourism forums and discussions in Cairns. An increase to the Growing Future Tourism Fund to a total of $30 million was announced by the government and the need to attract international visitation and see its return to pre-pandemic levels.

John MacKenzie chats with Keith Hamburger AM, Former Director-General of Queensland's Corrective Services, about staff shortages at youth detention centres around the state. Reports are coming in of centres reaching full capacity and teenagers being locked up, for up to 23 hours per day. This is amidst government plans to construct two new detention facilities. Keith Hamburger suggested the government should 'pause plans amid concerns they will be ineffective in terms of reducing crime'.

John MacKenzie chats with Jemma Probert, owner of Kerry D Fishing Charters in Karumba, about a "plague of rats" that have recently invaded the Gulf-based town. Footage and pictures of thousands of rats have flooded social media with many washing up dead along the shorelines. Jemma Probert explains her firsthand encounters as she has to fight off rats from climbing into her boat on a daily basis. Experts are saying that a record wet season, coupled with an abundance of vegetation to feed upon, has led to the plague of long-haired rats.

John MacKenzie chats with John Hardy OAM, Second World War Historian and Local Tour Guide, about the strange case of 3 unexploded ordnances (UXO) discovered in the Bilwon State Forest near Mareeba, dating back to the Second World War. The 80-year-old bombs are still considered extremely dangerous and representatives from the Australian Defence Force attended the site. John Hardy OAM has a rich knowledge of the history surrounding World War 2, especially from a local perspective, and operates historical tours of the Atherton Tablelands. The region was a hotspot for military training during the war.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Peter Ridd, Independent Scientist and Marine Geophysicist, about the government's commitment of another $50 million to improve reef quality, bringing the budget to around $200 million in total.

The allegedly stolen puppies recovered by police have the community of Cairns talking, so John MacKenzie caught up with dog owner, Andrea White, to understand her ordeal and the outcome. The four golden retriever puppies were returned to Andrea following raids and arrests of multiple teenage offenders. The puppies are only a couple of weeks old. "A total of seven teenagers aged between 14 and 18-years have now been charged." says a report by Queensland Police.

John MacKenzie chats with Allen Bobbermen, President of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association, following the state government's $90-million compensation announcement for the phasing out of gillnet fishing.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about secret polling done to judge the state government's popularity that was funded by the taxpayer but organised by Palaszczuk. It is being reported that the 66-week polling venture cost taxpayers over $390,000.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Graeme Lauridson from Tropical Veterinary Services, to better explain the recent footage taken of a cassowary swimming in the ocean near Mission Beach. The footage was shared by the Department of Environment and Science and has surprised many who were unaware the giant bird could swim. Dr. Lauridson also commented on the infamous "Cassowary Land Bridge" being constructed over the Bruce Highway near Tully, at a cost of  over $30-million.

John MacKenzie chats with Councillor Martin Bella, Mackay Regional Council and former Rugby League Legend, following his comments about criminals being the "predators" with residents being their "prey", in light of the Sarina Fire Station allegedly having fire trucks stolen during the midst of raging bushfires.

Talkback caller, Dean from Cairns North, shares his experience with Macca following an incident with upsetting itinerant behaviour and how numb people are to such tragedies.

John MacKenzie chats with Keith Keith Hamburger AM, Former Director-General of Queensland's Corrective Services, about his perspectives on youth crime and justice following prominent anti-crime rallies in Townsville and Brisbane.

John MacKenzie chats with Dan McCarthy, Captain of Big Fish Downunder Charter Boat, about the threat posed by crocodiles as they encroach on human territory. The comments were made following a man's boat being rammed by a crocodile in the Burdekin area, south of Cairns. The Department of Environment and Science has issued a warning to boaties and a spokesperson has confirmed that the croc will be removed if found. Dan McCarthy reiterated previous warnings that the reptiles are encroaching on human spaces and a better management policy is urgently needed.

 John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Chairman of the Redcliffe Highway Proposal, about the costs of maintaining the Kuranda range compared with a new route to access the Tablelands. Ken also laughed at the State Government's bureaucratic blowout of $ 30 million on a cassowary bridge that observers feel will barely be used.

John MacKenzie chats with Cynthia Cole, Real Estate & Palm Cove Local, about her drive to protect the Palm Cove ideal by opposing a high-rise development that flirted with local guidelines. A six-story tower is proposed for Ceder Road at Palm Cove, but after local objections, the Cairns Regional Council will reject the application unless strict conditions are met. "We don't want to become a high-rise destination like the Gold Coast" is the message being spread by residents who are furious at the proposed tower construction. Cynthia Cole has helped lead the community's fight, with the help of Division 9 Representative, Brett Olds.

John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about Palaszczuk's intimation that her government will support the KAP plan for remote detention facilities to help lower youth crime trends. Many are suggesting that the Queensland Labor Party will appease minor parties in an effort to increase their chances of forming a minority government.