Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with a powerful talkback caller, Leon from Edmonton, about his personal experience in turning his own son's life around from a troubled youth into a productive community member. Leon explained how he needed to turn his own life around to help his son and that community support and practical institutions are the answer.  Leon believes that a boarding school facility where young people can learn real skills and speak with real people who have improved their lives, rather than a stock-standard detention centre.

John MacKenzie chats with Scott Morrissey, PhD Candidate at JCU Townsville, about a technology being developed to detect the proximity of marine stingers in our waters. Mr. Morrissey is working on forensic testing of water samples to detect the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of marine stingers, which would effectively eliminate the need to continuously drag nets at local beaches.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the proposed changes to public drunkenness, urination, and begging. In a shocking move, the state government hopes to reduce crime statistics by legalising particular offences and offering diversionary programs as an alternate means.  The law change would effectively encourage the harassment of tourists and locals alike and could not come at a worse time as crime and anti-social behaviour in the Cairns CBD is at an all-time high. Cr. Olds thrashed the decisions made 2000km away by a government whose focus is the image of the state's southeast corner.  

John MacKenzie chats with Peter Scott, Mayor of Cook Shire, about the historical significance of World War II after a memorial was recently restored. The state government recently reversed its decision to remove a war memorial erected to commemorate David Ellerton of the Royal Australian Air Force who was killed in 1942 around 100km from Cooktown. Peter Scott brought the story to light and elaborated on other interesting facets surrounding the history of the Second World War and Far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Peter Ridd, Independent Scientist, and Marine Geophysicist, about the federal government's guarantee to spend $1.2 billion on reef "protection". Dr. Ridd explained that record coral cover has been reported recently and that the billion-plus dollar pricetag is a waste of taxpayer funds. Dr. Ridd also weighed in on the decision by QANTAS to effectively label farmers as environmental polluters by offering "reef protection" programs. Aviation services remain one of the globe's biggest carbon-emitting industries.

John MacKenzie chats with Warren Jonsson, Owner of Jonsson's Farm Market, about the rising costs of living due to the increases in food and energy prices. Fuel and transport expenses are up with primary producers forced to pass on the cost to the consumer. Groceries and fresh produce prices have been steadily increasing and putting huge pressure on household budgets. The second wham comes as energy prices are predicted to increase 20% by the end of this year, and another 30% by 2023/24. This is due to the government's efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions through a radical plan. Many are asking the question: will our road to green sustainability have the ability to sustain our quality of life?

John MacKenzie chats with Nick Trompf, Chairman of Advance Cairns, about the funding secured for vital projects in and around Cairns following the release of the 2022-2023 Australian federal budget. The major projects that were included in the budget include $50m for the CQUniversity Cairns campus, $107.5m for Cairns' water security, $210m for Kuranda Range upgrades, and $150m for the Cairns Marine Precinct. Other regional projects close to home missed out, such as the Hells Gate and Urannah dams, whilst $1.2 billion was guaranteed for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

John MacKenzie chats with Linda Cooper, General Manager of Study Cairns, about the increase in student numbers studying abroad in Cairns. A strong return of Japanese students to the region should see others follow suit, and many are anticipating the numbers to begin to rise in the Chinese and Taiwanese markets. With many students holding working holiday visas, the flow-on effects should be a positive step for our local hospitality businesses experiencing staffing shortages. Linda Cooper recently attended the Australian International Education Conference where the new emerging markets of Vietnam and Mongolia were discussed.

John MacKenzie chats with Wayne "Prong" Trimble, a family friend of Toyah Cordingley, after the Indian Government set a court date of November 5th as authorities hope to make an arrest soon. Rajwinder Singh is the person of interest sought by police after he left for India on the same day as the disappearance of Toyah Cordingley in October 2018. Her body was found the following day. It has been four difficult years for the family, friends, and community of Cairns who have been waiting for justice.

John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about the proposed remote camps for troubled youths. Mr. Katter supported the motion made by local councils to pressure the state government to respond to the youth crime emergency by providing facilities in remote locations which would limit the individual from committing harm, as well as teach them life skills in order to grow. A recent annual meeting in Cairns held by the Local Government Association of Queensland focused on several compounding issues, including the rising juvenile crime rates faced by communities across Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Mario Mlikota, Mareeba Shire Councillor, about remote camps for troubled youth where vital skills can be learnt in hopes that their lives turn around. Mareeba Shire submitted a motion at the Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference in Cairns, calling on the state government to introduce diversionary facilities in very remote locations across the state. The facility's aim would be to teach necessary skills in an effort to curb recidivism. The motion was passed by the LGAQ, which puts pressure on the state government to act. "Every Queensland community deserves to be a livable one..." Mr. Mlikota said.

John MacKenzie chats with Brett Moller, Cairns Regional Councillor Representative for Division 1, about solutions to curb the crime trend, which has become a major talking point at the LGAQ annual conference. After 3 years the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has returned to Cairns to host its annual conference, with crime being a topic of conversation. Although crime and policing laws are determined by the state government, local councillors expressed their opinions on the crime emergency plaguing Cairns and the Far North. "...the sentence must be proportionate to the gravity of the offence and the responsibility of the offender" Councillor Moller stated.

John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, LNP Member for Broadwater and State Leader of the Opposition, about the need for the state government to tackle crime. At the time of writing this article, Cairns and the greater region have seen 1066 cars stolen so far this year. This smashes the 782 total for last year and is up again on 2020's total of 542 stolen vehicles. Mr. Crisafulli called on the state government to support councils and communities in the wake of what some are calling urban terrorism. He also reiterated that punishment still remains an effective deterrent.

Gavin King, covering for John MacKenzie, chats with talkback caller, Simon from Brinsmead, about potential and realistic solutions to tackle the youth crime issue. Simon elaborated on the need for a military-inspired disciplinary program for youth who commit multiple and ongoing offenses.

John MacKenzie chats with LNP Senator Susan McDonald about the Albanese government's controversial agreement to follow the United States and sign up for methane reduction targets of 30% over 10 years. Bigger polluters, such as China, India, and Russia will not back the pledge, leaving Aussie farmer's scratching their heads at the government's decision.  In a surprise statement, Minister for Agriculture, Murray Watt attempted to explain that reducing livestock and methane would actually lead to cheaper meat. Senator McDonald scolded the government's hasty decision.

John MacKenzie chats with Roger Ward, Director of Cairns Mortgage Brokers and Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, about the mortgage and financial stresses facing Cairns homeowners, as interest rates continue to rise. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised rates to 2.6 percent, which is the highest it has been in seven years. The rates rise will hit many hard as the cost of living has been dramatically increasing, including basic grocery, fuel, and utility prices.

John MacKenzie chats with Perri Conti, Co-Founder of Changing Cairns Crime Problems, in response to solutions provided by local members of parliament regarding the crime crisis. All of our state and federal members weighed in on the crime issue providing a range of possible ways to curb the trend, ranging from remote relocation programs to early intervention and more liaison support. However, Perri Conti blasted the politicians who focus on the rights of young criminals rather than victims of crime, arguing that governments owe a duty of care to their law-abiding citizens.

John MacKenzie chats with Ralph Cremer from NEAMCO, after the surprise announcement of its closure. The closure is due to the retirement of owner Ray Fry, who has been in the engineering industry for decades. Ray's father, Dick Fry, was the local legend who founded NQEA, which was formerly one of Cairns' biggest employers. Ralph spoke fondly and recalled memories of the local engineering family.

John MacKenzie chats with Aimee McVeigh, CEO Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS), about homelessness and rental issues in relation to the upcoming housing summit. Over 500 Cairns locals have applied for social housing during the last financial year, as approximately 4,000 people wait for a home in our region. "People are sleeping in cars and on the streets across the regions," says Aimee McVeigh, "single mums have been handed tents to house their children...". QCOSS is pushing for local representation for the upcoming state summit to address Queensland's housing crisis.