Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Ian Leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about a $10-million subsidy to install 20,000 engine immobilisers to deter car thefts in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa. Eligible applicants can receive $500 in funding to pay for a secondary engine immobiliser, that only starts the engine when a pin code is entered or another similar connection to your mobile. The trial run will establish the effectiveness of these immobilisers in lowering car thefts and will help judge whether the technology should become mandatory. Ian Leavers also spoke about the struggle to recruit new officers in Queensland, after "poaching" 300 officers from overseas and over 100 from interstate sources.

John MacKenzie chats with Bruce Batch, N4 Commercial Fisherman in Far North Queensland, about the new laws and quotas for Spanish Mackerel catches that came into effect from July 1st 2023. Bruce is one of the few remaining commercial fishermen who struggle to survive in a world of green-dominant policymaking driven by a UNESCO report. Bruce's future is being threatened whilst Australians are buying imported seafood instead. The government assessment of fish stocks has been independently reviewed and misrepresentations have been alluded to by experts who have questioned the legitimacy of computer modeling.  From last Saturday July 1 2023, commercial fishers will have their total catch quota radically reduced, and recreational fishing will see a limit of one Spanish mackerel per person, or 2 per boat maximum.

John MacKenzie chats with Allen Bobbermen, Cardwell-Based Commercial Fisherman, about how his livelihood will be impacted when the Queensland government phase out gillnets completely and limit the catch for Spanish Mackerel. An emotional Mr. Bobbermen blasted the state government's actions against fishers and fears for the future of coastal towns that rely upon fishing.  Although the government has assured the populace that there is no intention to ban all fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, their "salami tactics" has eroded the commercial fishing industry in small shaves, slice by slice, and trends show it will continue until there isn't anything left.

John MacKenzie chats with Perry Jones, Owner/Operator of Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom, to get a much-needed update on the tourism industry at the start of the school holidays. Humpback Whales are on their migratory path north and lucky adventurers aboard Perry's boats were treated to an exclusive "hello" by a juvenile.  Whilst exclusion zones of 100 metres exist to protect the marine giants, it is no problem if they swim up to the boat. A group of snorkellers were treated to a close encounter of the big kind. Perry's tour boats visit the reef and islands along the beautiful coastline of Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Sue from Brinsmead after an alleged attack and bag snatch she was the victim of. Sue is one of many victims of crime by violent young offenders in Cairns and the surrounding suburbs in Far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Peter Beattie, Former Premier of Queensland, to reflect upon 25 years since he entered office as the 36th State Premier in 1998. Mr. Beattie, who was raised in the Tableland and was school captain at Atherton State High, held the premier position when Cairns was lobbying for funding to construct the iconic Esplanade Lagoon, which opened in early 2003. Mr. Beattie reflected upon the changes in society since his time in office, in particular, the malicious side of social media and politics.

John MacKenzie chats with a passionate caller, Jan from Gordonvale, about rural bank closures and society's shift away from reliable cash. Jan also spoke of her personal experience living in Argentina when the banks shut down and the populace returned to a bartering system.

John MacKenzie chats with Councillor Brett Moller, CRC Representative for Division 1, about crocodile management in the north following 2 frightening close encounters. Howard Kennedy Drive at Babinda is the latest confirmed sighting of a saltwater crocodile in a location frequented by local children. Warning signage was erected by the Queensland Department of Environment. Yesterday, a talkback caller from Goldborough Valley warned a family to get out of the water, after he noticed oblivious tourists swimming near Peet's Bridge in the Mulgrave River. Councillor Moller reiterated the point that croc safety is intertwined with workplace health and safety, as many farmers work within close proximity to crocodiles.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about the vigilante actions made by climate change extremists. Blockade Australia has vowed to continue its disruptive and dangerous style of vigilantism after a 23-year-old woman was arrested recently for blocking coal shipments at the Port of Brisbane. The climate "activist" group also blocked shipments in Newcastle and Melbourne. "Everyone has a right to express their view... [but] you do not have the right to disrupt other people going about their day" Senator Canavan explained.

John MacKenzie chats with Chris "Choppy" Close, Rugby League Legend and player for the first State of Origin match in 1980., about the SSO Game 2 decider match tomorrow night. Don't miss Game 2 at 8 p.m. on 21st June 2023 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the Cairns Regional Council's near-$400 million budget for the 2023-2024 financial year.  In a heated exchange Division 5's Councillor, Amy Edan, took advantage of her time to speak about her electorate's budgetary concerns by taking shots at her own Unity Team. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Manning, while chants of "let her speak" echoed from the near-full gallery. Councillor Olds reminded Councillor Edan not to make her time political and that battles are reserved for council workshops, many of which she did not attend. The controversial "tenant tax" (an increase in rates specifically targeting investment properties) was officially shut down. Ratepayers can still expect a 5.99% general rate rise.

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Col from Goldsborough Valley, about his experience providing shelter and work for a troubled young person, who had broken into his factory.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about the latest opinions polls about the "voice to parliament" referendum that Australians will be voting on later in 2023. The latest polling, as of writing this article, puts the vote at neck and neck. It seems as though support for the Yes campaign has dropped from 53% to 49% within the last week. Australian voters will go to the polls in a referendum later this year to decide whether to amend the Constitution to include an unelected, Indigenous parliamentary body to advise on policy and lawmaking.

John MacKenzie chats with Associate Professor Severine Navarro, Team Head of Mucosal Immunology at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, about groundbreaking trials of a new treatment for asthma sufferers. The QIMR Berghofer Institute is appealing for donations to help fast-track clinical trials for a new anti-inflammatory protein that can now be synthesised. The protein is proving effective to treat asthma and could potentially work to treat a range of other conditions including hay fever, food allergies, and even coeliac. 

John MacKenzie chats with Sergeant Dave Raymond, Officer in Charge of Cairns Dog Squad, to share some stories after he was one of seven officers awarded an Australian Police Medal for exemplary service. "Sergeant Raymond commenced with QPS on 29 May 1989 and was sworn in as a police officer on 8 December 1989. He has served his whole career in Far North Queensland including service as a general duties officer in Smithfield and Cairns Police Station, Officer in Charge of the Cairns Police-Citizens Youth Club where he was instrumental in its establishment", quotes the media release from Mark Ryan, the Queensland Minister for Police and Corrective Services.

John MacKenzie chats with David Bobberman, CEO of Queensland Seafood Industry Association, about the fear facing Queensland's seafood industry after the announcement that the state government will ban certain net fishing. Commercial fishers are terrified of the proposal which would see an 800km area of the Northern Queensland coast be shut down to gillnet fishing by the end of June 2027. David Bobberman was furious that the announcements were made without any consultation with industry stakeholders.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Jon Nott, Professor of Geoscience College of Science and Engineering at JCU Cairns, about the latest update on sea level rises and the effects it can have at a local level.  John Mackenzie wanted to better understand what is truly happening around Far North Queensland, particularly after reports that islands in the Torres Strait are under threat.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, about carjackings and violent crimes after Cairns has been revealed as the car theft capital of Queensland. The increasing rate of car thefts in Cairns, usually committed by young offenders who force entry into victims' homes and destroy any sense of safety in the process, comes as a spate of violent carjackings has been trending in the state's southeast corner. Dr. Goldsworthy spoke about how around 70% of people living in the Gold Coast "don't feel safe in their own home at night". 

John MacKenzie chats with Nick Holloway, Co-owner of Nunu Restaurant at Palm Cove, about their upcoming appearance on Channel 10's Masterchef program. The amazing, local restauranteur and his team flew down to the Masterchef studios recently to assist with the Home Cook vs Pro Cook challenge.  Don't miss Masterchef at 7:30 p.m. tonight on Channel 10 and 10 Play.