Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, CRC Councillor for Division 9, about the closing down of the Esplanade Lagoon during peak tourist season, and gains an understanding of a development for social housing on Buchan Street that is opposed by residents living nearby.

Steve Ahmet (covering for John MacKenzie) chats with a caller, Rick from Cairns, about victims of crime and compensation.  Rick raises the question of a class action lawsuit against the government for failing in their duty of care to protect its citizens from harm. Parallels were made to the class action lawsuit against the government by individuals in the Torres Strait who claim inaction on climate change is causing harm.

John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, State Leader of the Opposition, about the newly announced LNP policy on crime, dubbed "adult time for adult crime", where juvenile offenders will be subject to adult sentencing for particular anti-social, violent, and property crimes.

John MacKenzie chats with Nick Dametto, State Member for Hinchinbrook KAP, about the need for major parties to adopt "on-country" programs to help address the rise in crime and anti-social behaviour in Far North Queensland. Recent statistics have revealed that Queensland is the crime state of Australia, with the Far North being one of the worst per capita offenders.

John MacKenzie chats with Dale Last, LNP State Member for Burdekin, Shadow Minister for Rural & Regional Affairs, and Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, about major safety improvements needed for the Bruce Highway following the tragic death of three people in a horror crash north of Gumlu, Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Denis Muller, from the Centre for Advancing Journalism, Senior Fellow & Subject Coordinator for Journalism (Law & Ethics) at The University of Melbourne, about the release of Julian Assange. For over 12 years in total, Assange hid in political asylum and was then detained by British authorities, following the famous "Wikileaks" dump that revealed US classified intelligence.

John MacKenzie chats with Scott Worlein, Owner of SRW Security Services based in Ayr, to contrast the security implications needed to combat growing youth crime in a modern world.  Mr. Worlein was forced to expand his security business to include the patrolling of neighbourhood streets in the Burdekin Shire. Residents of Cairns' suburbs are sadly having to consider private security firms due to the failure of elected officials to protect their citizens.

John MacKenzie chats with Chris Grice, CEO of National Seniors Australia, about the cash vs cashless debate that has many people talking. The importance of keeping cash in our community should be stressed by all, as it can disproportionately affect older generations of Australians.

John MacKenzie chats with Geoffrey Thomas, Editor-in-Chief at AirlineRatings.com, for airline updates including Qantas's seat sale, the collapse of Bonza, and the exciting future for Cairns Airport, albeit remaining reticent on the details of any new flights.

John MacKenzie chats with Mark Raymond, Body Corporate Chair at Kamerunga Villas, about the urgent need to repair and restore mains power to the "Kamerunga Villas" living complex. Residents have been relying on backup generator power for the past 6 months, ever since the December 2023 flood event destroyed the mains infrastructure.