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

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

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.