Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Allen from Yorkey's Knob, about his dog going blind after an injection. Allen brought in experts from the southern cities that confirmed the condition, but not all hope was lost. Allen's dog is slowly regaining its sight after training and rehabilitation.

John MacKenzie chats with Gavin King (Host of 4CA's The King Review, Former State Member for Cairns & Assistant Minister) and Danny Betros (Managing Director of CBRE Cairns) about the crime emergency facing Cairns and Far North Queensland. Brazen youth offenders are getting too close for comfort after a series of attacks against restaurants at a popular tourist hot-spot has seen operators turning to private security because of ineffective government policy that is not addressing the concerns of citizens.

John Mackenzie chats with Margaret Shaw, Consumer Insurance Advocate, for a positive update on the progress of the $10 billion reinsurance pool for Far North Queensland's cyclone-prone regions. With some big insurers, including SURE, Suncorp, QBE, and Alliance, having already joined the pool, consumers are now waiting for the remaining giants, such as IAG and RACQ to commit. Margaret Shaw saw the news as overtly positive with positive flow-on effects, however, she vowed to fight to the very end if needed to ensure the reinsurance pool is effectively executed. A previous caller from today's show, Linda Tuck from Property Ladder Real Estate, explained how her insurance bill has already decreased by over 39% for some properties, all thanks to the newly-formed pool.

John MacKenzie chats with Paul Taylor, former senior Police Officer, for his response to a spate of attacks along the waterfront restaurants by a youth gang. Mr. Taylor was horrified to hear about the attacks at the popular dining spot and he reiterated the need for local government to step up and be more involved in community safety. On Tuesday evening a group of youths allegedly went from restaurant to restaurant smashing property and assaulting staff and patrons both verbally and physically, including smashing a pot plant and threatening to stab an individual with a ceramic shard. 

John MacKenzie chats with Joanne Borg, former Child Safety Executive, about the state of Resi care after the Minister for Child Safety ordered a review of the system. Resi care is meant to operate as a place of safety and support for young people in need but has seen scathing reports from insiders who say there is no future for a young person living in this system, with reports of physical and sexual abuse by other children in care, drug and alcohol use, mistreatment of disabled children, and lack of support for carers who sometimes are the recipients of physical harm. Joanne, with her first-hand experience, explained how the lack of proper support is directly responsible for the growing crime problems in Cairns and far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Peter Scott, Mayor of Cook Shire, about yesterday's visit by Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services due to Cooktown still having no birthing services available for pregnant mothers. Mayor Scott was disappointed when Minister Fentiman did not even get in touch with him to discuss the return of the service to the region's hospital.   "The emergency chopper... comes in probably four or five times a week, costing $35,000 bucks each time it comes in... you're looking at seven or eight million dollars [over one year]" Mayor Scott explained. Birthing Services in Cooktown ceased in February 2022. Difficulties in recruiting staff are being blamed as the primary cause.

John MacKenzie chats with Dan Galligan, CEO of Queensland Canegrowers, about the first shipment of raw sugar to the United Kingdom under a new free trade agreement. Australia has not had any significant exports of sugar to the UK since the 1970s, and none at all since 2017, due to the protectionist attitude of the European Union, which saw some tariffs as high as 98 euros per tonne.  The free trade agreement should see Australia bring in around $74 million per annum from raw sugar exports.

John MacKenzie chats with Jared Abbott, Director of Organising at Transport Workers Union in Queensland, following an alleged robbery and assault of a Cairns bus driver and passenger by two teenage girls who have been charged. A helpless 53-year-old female bus driver and a 37-year-old female passenger were both allegedly assaulted and the driver was robbed in Redlynch yesterday. When our local heroes in blue located the offenders, one police officer was allegedly spat on. Jared spoke about the need for drivers and passengers to feel safe and protected whilst traveling on public buses in Cairns and Far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Acting Superintendent of Cairns Police, about youth justice reforms and new preventative trials to avoid auto theft. Kevin explained how recidivism is a key factor, as the majority of crime problems in Cairns are caused by a minority of repeat offenders, and early intervention is imperative. Vehicle engine immobilisers have also been a hot topic after $10 million in funding was announced by the state government for the subsidy of such technology.  The immobilisers require a pin code to start the car, which should effectively lower the rates of stolen vehicles.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, for an update on opinion polls regarding Palaszczuk's popularity and the Voice to Parliament referendum.  An Australian Financial Review recently polled 1065 voters and found the primary vote for Labor has fallen down to 34%, whilst the LNP party has risen to 40%. In regards to the referendum later this year where Australians will vote on adding an Indigenous "voice to parliament" to the constitution, support for the "Yes23" Campaign has dropped down to only 38% for Indigenous Australians (according to an Australian Community Media poll of over 2000 Indigenous people).

John MacKenzie chats with Ian Leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about a $10-million subsidy to install 20,000 engine immobilisers to deter car thefts in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa. Eligible applicants can receive $500 in funding to pay for a secondary engine immobiliser, that only starts the engine when a pin code is entered or another similar connection to your mobile. The trial run will establish the effectiveness of these immobilisers in lowering car thefts and will help judge whether the technology should become mandatory. Ian Leavers also spoke about the struggle to recruit new officers in Queensland, after "poaching" 300 officers from overseas and over 100 from interstate sources.

John MacKenzie chats with Bruce Batch, N4 Commercial Fisherman in Far North Queensland, about the new laws and quotas for Spanish Mackerel catches that came into effect from July 1st 2023. Bruce is one of the few remaining commercial fishermen who struggle to survive in a world of green-dominant policymaking driven by a UNESCO report. Bruce's future is being threatened whilst Australians are buying imported seafood instead. The government assessment of fish stocks has been independently reviewed and misrepresentations have been alluded to by experts who have questioned the legitimacy of computer modeling.  From last Saturday July 1 2023, commercial fishers will have their total catch quota radically reduced, and recreational fishing will see a limit of one Spanish mackerel per person, or 2 per boat maximum.

John MacKenzie chats with Allen Bobbermen, Cardwell-Based Commercial Fisherman, about how his livelihood will be impacted when the Queensland government phase out gillnets completely and limit the catch for Spanish Mackerel. An emotional Mr. Bobbermen blasted the state government's actions against fishers and fears for the future of coastal towns that rely upon fishing.  Although the government has assured the populace that there is no intention to ban all fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, their "salami tactics" has eroded the commercial fishing industry in small shaves, slice by slice, and trends show it will continue until there isn't anything left.

John MacKenzie chats with Perry Jones, Owner/Operator of Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom, to get a much-needed update on the tourism industry at the start of the school holidays. Humpback Whales are on their migratory path north and lucky adventurers aboard Perry's boats were treated to an exclusive "hello" by a juvenile.  Whilst exclusion zones of 100 metres exist to protect the marine giants, it is no problem if they swim up to the boat. A group of snorkellers were treated to a close encounter of the big kind. Perry's tour boats visit the reef and islands along the beautiful coastline of Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Sue from Brinsmead after an alleged attack and bag snatch she was the victim of. Sue is one of many victims of crime by violent young offenders in Cairns and the surrounding suburbs in Far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Peter Beattie, Former Premier of Queensland, to reflect upon 25 years since he entered office as the 36th State Premier in 1998. Mr. Beattie, who was raised in the Tableland and was school captain at Atherton State High, held the premier position when Cairns was lobbying for funding to construct the iconic Esplanade Lagoon, which opened in early 2003. Mr. Beattie reflected upon the changes in society since his time in office, in particular, the malicious side of social media and politics.

John MacKenzie chats with a passionate caller, Jan from Gordonvale, about rural bank closures and society's shift away from reliable cash. Jan also spoke of her personal experience living in Argentina when the banks shut down and the populace returned to a bartering system.

John MacKenzie chats with Councillor Brett Moller, CRC Representative for Division 1, about crocodile management in the north following 2 frightening close encounters. Howard Kennedy Drive at Babinda is the latest confirmed sighting of a saltwater crocodile in a location frequented by local children. Warning signage was erected by the Queensland Department of Environment. Yesterday, a talkback caller from Goldborough Valley warned a family to get out of the water, after he noticed oblivious tourists swimming near Peet's Bridge in the Mulgrave River. Councillor Moller reiterated the point that croc safety is intertwined with workplace health and safety, as many farmers work within close proximity to crocodiles.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about the vigilante actions made by climate change extremists. Blockade Australia has vowed to continue its disruptive and dangerous style of vigilantism after a 23-year-old woman was arrested recently for blocking coal shipments at the Port of Brisbane. The climate "activist" group also blocked shipments in Newcastle and Melbourne. "Everyone has a right to express their view... [but] you do not have the right to disrupt other people going about their day" Senator Canavan explained.

John MacKenzie chats with Chris "Choppy" Close, Rugby League Legend and player for the first State of Origin match in 1980., about the SSO Game 2 decider match tomorrow night. Don't miss Game 2 at 8 p.m. on 21st June 2023 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.