Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie speaks with Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, CRC Rep for Division 9, about the horrific alleged rape and assault by 3 teens at a Cairns address. Pressure is being put on the State Government in the wake of the upcoming Community Cabinet being held in Cairns this Sunday, March 2nd 2025.

John MacKenzie chats with Keith Hamburger AM, Former Director-General of Queensland's Corrective Services Commission, about the current state of law and order in Cairns and across the state. The Cairns Post reported assault statistics in Cairns City which saw only a 'marginal increase' from 808 assaults in 2001 to 878 in 2018. However, this rate has jumped rapidly in recent years, with a whopping 2592 reported assaults in 2024.

John MacKenzie chats with Mayor Ramon Jayo, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, about the Bruce Highway closed between Ingham and Cardwell due to flooding at Seymour River, which has stranded food delivery trucks only moments after the temporary bridge crossing Ollera Creek was opened.

John MacKenzie chats with Brad Stewart, Coles Regional Manager, for an update on the availability of stock and groceries at our local supermarket shelves. Late last night saw a convoy of semi-trailers enter Cairns City full of produce and groceries.

John MacKenzie chats with Gary Mahon, CEO of the Queensland Trucking Association, about the logistics for transport companies to fill the supermarket shelves in Far North Queensland following the devastating flooding and collapse of the bridge crossing Ollera Creek, north of Townsville.

John MacKenzie chats with Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, CRC Rep for Division 9, about the need for alternate routes to better access North Queensland following the supermarket stand-still due to the collapse of one small bridge at Ollera Creek. Councillor Olds also touched on the recent controversy in which Mayor Amy Eden proposed to spend ratepayer's money on purchasing a stake in the Cairns Airport.

Image: Ollera Creek Bridge

John MacKenzie speaks with Peter Rinaudo, Regional Community Engagement Officer for Queensland’s State Emergency Services Far Northern Region, about the inundation of tropical rain experienced over the weekend in Far North Queensland, and how the SES have been lending a hand.

Image: Munro Martin Parklands, where you can attend for Australia Day fun.

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John MacKenzie discusses the crime emergency in Cairns with two callers, Elvis from Edmonton and Peter from Sydney.  Elvis explained the feelings of long-term residents who are at their wit's end dealing with the increasing crime and anti-social behaviour.  Peter shared his experience as a frequent visitor to Far North Queensland and described the decay of a socially moribund city.