Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about the Voice to Parliament referendum results and what this could mean moving forward. On Saturday, October 14, 2023, Australians went to the polls to decide whether to change the constitution to include an Indigenous advisory body in parliament. The No campaign has won a victory with the majority of states and territories.

John MacKenzie chats with Dave Sharma, Former Ambassador of Australia to Israel and former federal member for the seat of Wentworth, about the war declared in the Levant following an attack by Hamas against the state of Israel. With events rapidly unfolding, a focus was placed on an interview between United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Sharma provided his valuable insight into this complex issue.

John MacKenzie chats with Lawrence Mason, Daintree Business Identity, about the Douglas Shire Council's hope of negotiating a private operator to run the Daintree River Ferry crossing. The vessel will soon require replacing and many are using the opportunity to call for a bigger barge or a better alternative.  The proposal of a small bridge has been met with controversy by many residents who enjoy the isolated atmosphere of the region. The ferry service currently transports over 200,000 vehicles per year and operates nearly 20 hours each day.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about the Israel-Islamic conflict following a strategic attack by Hamas on the Jewish state. Senator Canavan also responded to a local news story where a limousine was allegedly stolen by two youths who sped down the highway clocking in at 180 km/hr!

John MacKenzie chats with Geoffrey Thomas, Editor in Chief at AirlineRatings.com, for updates on the Qatar and Qantas airlines controversy following a Senate committee's review of the matter. The Senate committee has stated that there is much evidence that Qantas 'exercised considerable influence' over the government during its decision. The federal government recently came under fire for denying Qatar Airways additional flights into the country, claiming it was in the national interest to do so. It was later revealed that 'keeping Qantas profitable' may have been a factor in the government's decision.

John MacKenzie chats with Bernice from Woree, an Indigenous Elder, about support for the Voice to Parliament referendum, the history of discrimination, and Jacinta Price. Senator Jacinta Yangapi Nampijinpa Price is a popular politician from the Northern Territory. With her connection to country and her common-sense approach to policy-making, many are touting Senator Price as a future leader of the nation.

John MacKenzie chats with Paul, a talkback caller sitting in Cairns Hospital. Paul called into the show to ask for help in understanding how to vote in the referendum when stuck in a hospital. A call was made to Warren Entsch, Federal Member for Leichhardt, who explained the process and made contact with hospital staff to assuage Paul's concerns.

John MacKenzie chats with Brett Olds, CRC Councillor for Division 9, about the Double Island agreement and the state government's intention to strip the lease from the current holder. Conditions of the lease include that the Island is operational for tourism purposes, yet still sits idle. The Department of Resources will begin proceedings in the Queensland Land Court, alleging non-compliance. The lease for Double Island is held by Benny Wu's Fortune Island Holding Company.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about the latest polling numbers in regard to the referendum on an Indigenous "Voice to Parliament". Recent polls show increased support for the Yes Campaign, now sitting at 43 percent (according to The Guardian), with support for the No Vote now at 49 percent. This sees the Yes Vote up by 2 percentage points from previous polling. Early voting locations are now open for those needing to cast their vote before October 14, 2023.

John MacKenzie chats with Darren Halpin, Managing Director of Halpin Property Group, about an exciting submission for a water and tourist park at the former Paradise Palms site. The $141 million proposal called "Reefsedge" would see 25 water slides, a 2500 square-metre wave pool, 364 villas, and 47 caravan sites. Mr. Halpin estimated the park would eventually accommodate 2,500 people per day and attract 100,000 visitors each year.

John MacKenzie chats with Dean from Cairns about the cooperation between the council and local police officers to address a vagrant campsite on Fearnley Street in Portsmith. Dean reported the story a couple of weeks ago after being threatened by dangerous animals on-site. He updated John today with the positive news that the campsite and mountains of rubbish had been cleaned up. Cairns Regional Council's Mayor Bob Manning happened to be in-studio to comment on the resolution.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about climate predictions made while federal treasurer Jim Chalmers attended a National Drought Forum in Rockhampton. New modelling from the federal government shows that our country could lose $1.8 billion per year over the next four years, due to reduced production of farming crops. Senator Canavan made the point that the Australian government should be quickly building dams if they are predicting bigger drought seasons.  "Why did Jim Chalmers, in his first budget, cut all the funding to build dams?" Senator Canavan said, "So the solution seems to be to shut everything down... to fight this climate change thing."

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, for an update about the "voice to parliament" polling numbers for the final week of September 2023. The most recent Newspoll shows the Yes Vote drop down to 36% in support, whilst the No Vote has gained momentum with support now sitting at 56% The referendum date is set for October 14th, 2023. It will mark the first time Australians have voted in a referendum since 1999. Dr. Williams provided his valuable insight into polling news that keeps unfolding rapidly.

"Vale Kevin Byrne" is the message being spread following the death of former Mayor of Cairns, Kevin Byrne. John MacKenzie pays tribute to his legacy. Kevin Byrne was Mayor of Cairns twice, from 1992-1995 and again from 2000-2008, and was behind many projects and developments, in particular the iconic Cairns Lagoon that opened in 2003. Kevin Byrne passed away on Thursday 21 September 2023. Picture: Opening of the Cairns Lagoon in 2003, (from left) John MacKenzie, Singer Graeme Connors, Premier Peter Beattie, Mayor Kevin Byrne.

John MacKenzie chats with a talkback caller, Frankie Hogan, about some local businesses that are deciding to go cashless in an effort to protect staff from crime. Frankie was one of many concerned citizens who successfully led the charge against the council's ban on cash at certain facilities. With crime running rampant in and around Cairns, and following attacks and threats against staff members, some business owners are making the tough decision to EFTPOS only, even if it means losing profits.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about nuclear power options following Peter Dutton's push to consider the renewable power source. Federal Climate Change & Energy Minister Chris Bowen rejected the idea, basing the decision upon departmental figures that claim it would cost $376 billion to replace coal power with nuclear. The debate is raging in Australia as blackouts are being assured as inevitable in the upcoming summer months; many are rejecting off-putting wind turbines and instead looking toward realistic alternatives to coal.