Mornings with John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Locky Bensted, Mareeba Shire, about the scourge of youth crime in Queensland and the rights of police officers. Following reports of officers in Queensland being too afraid to attend work due to the culture of fear created by violent criminals who now target police, Cr. Bensted brought into question the "duty of care" owed by government to its employees and citizens.

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller George, from Fetta's Greek Taverna, who is enraged at the decision to stand down a top Queensland cop guilty of pursuing criminals. The officer in question is accused of approving the direction to ram a car during a pursuit on February 1st on the Gold Coast. George shares his opinions on reinstating the officer, a growing opinion shared by many Queenslande...

John MacKenzie chats with Hayley from Cardwell who had to call the Department of Environment and Science to get help removing a 2.4-metre crocodile that was hanging out too close for comfort in her backyard.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Martin Bella, Mackay Regional Council, about the recent show of support by regional Mayors in Queensland to address the increasing concern of crime and youth offending. The state government's Youth Justice Reform Select Committee is holding an inquiry into crime in Cairns, with a forum being held today (7 Feb 2024). Cr. Bella has long stated that there must be a separ...

John MacKenzie chats with Warren Entsch, LNP Federal Member for Leichhardt, about traditional hunting methods meeting legal and moral obligations after a turtle was rescued off Green Island. The traditional practices are coming under scrutiny in an environmentally-conscious world where marine creatures, such as turtles, are killed for game and butchered in front of international tourists at popula...

John MacKenzie chats with Sabine Schroeder about the community's desire to see the return of markets in the city, with DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) Shopping Centre on Mulgrave Road coming to the rescue. Cairns City once saw regular community markets held near the esplanade lagoon and additional markets held when a cruise ship was docked at the terminal. After news broke of Sabine's mission to see a...

John MacKenzie chats with Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), about the return of flights from China for the Luna New Year, the very first since flights ended due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

John Mackenzie chats with Dan Purdie, LNP State Member for Ninderry & Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, about stretched policing resources in Queensland following a growing youth crime crisis that has seen police cars being targeted.

John MacKenzie chats with Geoffrey Thomas, Editor-in-chief at AirlineRatings.com , about a sales blitz by Qantas offering cheap international airfares and the first anniversary of Bonza, Australia's new, budget airline.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about Woolworth's controversial decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise this January 26th. The Woolworths decision has been labeled as "woke" by many Australians who have expressed their outrage. In response to the backlash, the supermarket giant has gone into overdrive with advertisements rationalising its new policy. The madness has exten...

John MacKenzie chats with Allan Benn from Kamerunga about his "letter to the editor" regarding crocodile management and human priorities. This is following reported sightings of a crocodile at the Redlynch Valley bridge just downstream from the popular Crystal Cascades swimming spot. Allan made local headlines in December 2022, when his daughter's dog was snatched by a saltie at the water's edge o...

John MacKenzie chats with Michelle from the Speewah Tavern about the Queensland Emergency Management Levy, designed to cope with disaster-affected relief and support. Michelle argues that more should have been done in the wake of Cyclone Jasper's flood event, considering there is already a tax designed that funds such relief. The levy was introduced by former state premier, Anna Bligh, and accordi...

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about supermarket giant Woolworth's controversial decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise, even though a majority of the public supports the national day. The divisive move by Woolworths comes as recent polling shows around two-thirds of Aussies don't want the January 26th date changed.

John MacKenzie chats with Lui Garozzo, Managing Director of Total Food Network (based in Cairns, with operations in PNG), about riots and unrest on the streets of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.  Public servants, including police and military personnel, took to violence in the streets, even surrounding the residence of the Prime Minister. This was sparked by a payroll glitch that led to governme...

John MacKenzie chats with Gina Court, who shares her experience of helping those in need following the epic floods that destroyed many communities in Far North Queensland. Tales of heroism and defiance against the odds abound in the Bloomfield region, north of Cairns, with stories of people clinging for life to sheets tied to trees. Gina has been traveling back and forwards and needs your support...

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, about Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham's bold new vision to bring youth crime under control in Queensland. Mr Massingham will be in charge of the QPS response to juvenile offending and has labeled social media as the "number one" driving force of exacerbating youth crime. Dr. Terr...

John MacKenzie chats with Deputy Mayor Brett Moller, CRC Representative for Division 1, about updates following the Cyclone Jasper flooding event: - A council notice to boil water has ended for some localities - Fisheries Creek bridge was addressed after being lost, leaving a community stranded - The rest stop at the Mulgrave River is still closed, including the toilet block, pending cleaning. The...