Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) about Vietnam Veteran's Day and the Legacy Gala Dinner coming up on September 2nd this year. After a caller's suggestion, John proposed pairing the historical significance of the battle of Long Tan with the battle of Coral/Balmoral. Cyclone Larry was also remembered, as Sir Cosgrove headed the task force in 2006 that saw the cleanup of ravaged towns in Far North Queensland, in particular the town of Innisfail.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, for an update on polling regarding the upcoming referendum vote on Australia's Indigenous "Voice to Parliament". The "Voice" debate continues, especially following Senator Jacinta Price's recent comments that call for an end to Welcome to Country acknowledgments. 

John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about "Welcome to Country" comments made recently by Senator Jacinta Price. Senator Price argued that Welcome to Country acknowledgments are divisive and wrong, and only remind non-indigenous Australians that this isn't their home. “Australians don’t need to be welcomed to their own country”, she explained. Mr. Katter also touched on the subject of NT alcohol bans and how they drive many problem-stricken people into Queensland communities, where alcohol is legal and available. Robbie Katter is supported by many Indigenous Australians who live within his electorate, and appreciate his voice in the North.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about new laws and fines being implemented. Plans to update 12 existing laws are underway with the Cairns Regional Council, including major fine increases for dog infringements, such as having pets off-lead. Other proposed changes include a ban on feeding wildlife in council parks, a more simplified process to host public events, a more streamlined process for removing problem unregistered vehicles, and allowing cultural fires.

John MacKenzie chats with Steve Lippingwell, CRC Candidate for Division 2, about his petition to exclude Gordonvale as a location for a new youth detention centre. "Any site in Edmonton would be unsuitable due to the close proximity of homes, schools, aged care, and the central business hub" Mr. Lippingwell explained. Many oppose a youth prison being built anywhere in close relation to suburban dwellings and instead point to distant locations, such as nearby the Lotus Glenn Correctional Centre not far from Mareeba. To sign the petition, click here: https://tinyurl.com/jsr3axxp

John MacKenzie chats with a frustrated caller, John from Cairns, about how local suppliers are being shelved in favour of businesses from southern cities. According to John, many fuel service outlets are being forced to snub local suppliers and stock their shelves with products from down south. Even stores in the remote regions of far north Queensland that receive government subsidies to assist in keeping shelves full are not being supplied by local businesses.

Ian Leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union, joins JohnMacKenzie in-studio this morning to discuss the exacerbating crime rate in Cairns, particularly among younger generations. Addressing the youth crime crisis, Mr. Leavers called upon all three tiers of government to cooperate in an approach that leads to actual solutions and engagement, such as parental responsibility and welfare reliance.  Mr. Leavers reminded listeners about the importance of a back-to-basics approach in reducing crime, which should include the traditional policing of the streets. Ian also spoke with John about the announced new tasers that will become a part of the police arsenal. With an effective range of 14 metres (three times the distance of current tasers being used), a trial of the hi-tech tasers will begin soon in Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Marathon Swimmer, Julie Boxsell, about "Swimming the Gap", a fun-swim from Green Island to Yorkey's Knob that raises money for charity. At a length of 27 kilometres, "Swimming the Gap" is currently Australia's longest open-water oceanic swim and will take place on Saturday 23rd September 2023. As an experienced swimmer, Julie recently competed in the iconic 20 Bridges Manhattan Island marathon and Cairns is excited to have her join this local event that raises funds for the AFL Cape York House Foundation.

John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Local Crime Emergency Activist, about the proposed youth detention centre for Edmonton and the plans for an alternative location. Locals have been speaking out against having a youth jail constructed within the middle of a residential suburb, with many suggesting a facility built in the Atherton Tablelands, perhaps nearby the Lotus Glenn prison site, would be a more realistic alternative. Queensland's Labor Government has announced that a new, 40-bed "therapeutic centre" [youth jail] will open in Cairns by 2026, with a proposed site in Edmonton that is yet to be officially confirmed.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about the changing of town names around Australia to an Indigenous alternative. Senator Canavan explained how a historically common motivation for changing a town's name is when a new ruling or revolutionary body wishes to erase the memory of its predecessors. A prime example is the renaming of St Petersburg to Leningrad following the violent Bolshevik revolution in Russia in the early twentieth century.

John MacKenzie chats with Paul Taylor, former Senior Police Officer, about the 2024 Cairns Regional Council elections, following his announced discussions in consideration to run for Mayor. Former two-time Mayor of Cairns, Kevin Byrne, has ruled out his own mayoral run and is discussing options of forming a team, with Paul Taylor in the driving seat.  With 45 years of experience serving with the Queensland Police Force, including time spent as the Northern Regional Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Taylor agrees that law and order will be a hot topic that will influence people's vote. Anti-social crimes and senseless violence are rising in the city, with car thefts at record highs for the last few years. The trends are sadly continuing.

John MacKenzie chats with Fran Lindsay, Former Division 2 CRC Councillor, about the proposed site in Edmonton for a youth detention centre. Local residents are demanding answers from the state government following Deputy Premier Steven Miles's announcement two weeks ago confirming the probable location, wondering how the logistics of a youth prison will fit harmoniously in the suburban community. "Where will its exact location be? What will it look like? How many children will it hold?" ...are some of the questions that need answering according to stakeholders.

John MacKenzie chats with Michael Salerno, Owner of Stratford Service Station, about picking up the pieces following a break-in. A brick was allegedly used by two offenders, a male aged 28 and a female aged 31,  to gain entry to the store, but they were scared off before stealing anything by an employee living on-site. Mr. Salerno stated how people have a fundamental right to feel safe and secure in their own homes, businesses, and community. He also reminded people that the cost of break-ins are passed onto consumers, who are already struggling with their own financial concerns.

John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, ALP State Member for Barron River, Minister for Child Safety, and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, about the completion of a new driving lane for the northern access of Cairns City. The new inbound lane is now open between Airport Avenue and Lily Street, which brings a much-coveted third lane to the bottleneck that drivers experienced previously. The new lane is part of a funding package aimed to improve the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns CBD and Smithfield, with total costs at $359 million. Changes in outbound traffic in the same area around the Airport intersection are now beginning and Minister Crawford estimated the completion to be within two years.

John MacKenzie catches up with Shai Ager, Founder of The Agile Project, about the latest wallaby relocation project. The mammoth task will see the relocation of wallabies from a site on Trinity Beach Road to make way for a new Woolworths supermarket development.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Jim Chalmers, Federal Treasurer of Australia, about a myriad of economic issues facing Cairns' residents and the people of Australia. The treasurer spoke about the pressure facing the nation including the cost of living crisis with rising inflation and skyrocketing energy prices. Jim Chalmers was in town to have a meeting with Margy Osmond, CEO of the Tourism and Transport Forum of Australia, about the need to reinvigorate the tourism industry for the city of Cairns and Far North Queensland. The Cairns Marine Precinct was also touched on, with construction beginning very soon, which would help diversify the economy in Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Frank Dangelico, Food & Wine Event Curator for Cairns Italian Festival, about the degustation evenings on offer in 2023. The festival is offering specialised courses hosted at local Italian restaurants, that represent food and wine from the different regions of Italy. The degustation courses are a lead-up to the big "La Festa" party this Saturday at Fogarty Park. Don't Miss Out!

John MacKenzie chats with Dean from Cairns about an alleged attack on patrons at a Shield Street restaurant last Saturday evening. Dean was one of many who witnessed a public urination incident escalate into a violent attack against patrons and staff by one individual. Listen to Dean's story here.

John MacKenzie chats with Gilberto Risa, founder of Cruze Coffee in Cairns, about selling his coffee business after 13 years of operating. Known for his infectious smile, Mr. Risa opened his first Cruze Coffee store in Oceana Walk in 2010. The business's popularity saw it move into a larger location on Grafton Street and then expand to a second location in Cairns Central shopping mall. Gilberto plans to enjoy some free time with family in Italy before returning to Cairns to begin the next chapter in his life. 

John MacKenzie speaks with Jason Christopher, Pharmacist & Managing Director Cairns Doctors & Whole Life Pharmacy, about the exacerbating crime and violence issue plaguing Cairns. Jason and his staff are at their wit's end and have given up calling the police, whose resources are stretched, instead placing the blame on ineffective government INaction. "There is a systemic failure for actions in regards to curtailing these sorts of things [crime and violence]... What sort of future do we have if our youth are so fragrantly abusing the system and know there's no consequences?" Jason explained.