Mornings with John Mackenzie

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...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 Co...

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 sh...

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 1...

"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:...

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,...

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...

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Moller, CRC Representative for Division 1, about local policy implementation following a forum where upset residents expressed their opposition to a proposed fishing ban on the Cairns Esplanade. Cr. Moller confirmed that there have been no complaints made by residents against Esplanade fishers and that the controversial recommendations came internally from counc...

John Mackenzie chats with Shane Knuth, KAP State Member for Hill, about a $30 million wildlife bridge ignored by a cassowary that instead crossed the road beside it. The bird somehow made its way around the barrier designed to direct it toward the safe crossing built by the government. Some are asking if cassowaries were consulted before construction began, to see if they would use the bridge. Wha...

John MacKenzie chats with Luke Twyford, CEO of the Queensland Family & Child Commission, about discovered failings within the residential care system (Resicare). The investigations were spearheaded by the newly appointed Minister for Child Safety and local Member for Barron, Craig Crawford, and have highlighted the need for major overhauls, labeling the system as "under pressure" and acknowled...

John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about the latest "Voice to Parliament" polling numbers. Katter reiterated his support for the No campaign, explaining that a bureaucratic body located in big southern cities will do little to improve the lives and fortunes of Indigenous Australians. Polling currently shows increase...

Gavin King chats with Sabrina Tooley, founder of Safe Gaming Projects, about an initiative to engage young offenders with a video game centre. The idea is to operate a place for video gaming available 24/7 in an effort to reduce youth crime affecting Cairns. The centre plans to offer nutritious meals, a series streaming services, and video gaming. Sabrine Tooley, a youth social worker, said that t...

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about the cost-of-living crisis, the future of power blackouts, changing Australian town names to Indigenous alternatives, and "welcome to country" protocols.

John MacKenzie chats with Ian Leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union, about the case of a police vehicle being intentionally rammed by a stolen car in Townsville. Two officers were taken to hospital following the deliberate attack that was allegedly committed by teenagers earlier this week. Mr. Leavers has called for actual punishments and jail time for violent offenders while f...

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, about policing recidivism and young repeat offenders.  Recent data has revealed shocking figures as high as 90% of juveniles at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre commit another crime within 12 months of being released.  Dr. Goldsworthy commented on the changes that may be required in upper po...

John MacKenzie catches up again with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, for the latest update on polling data in regards to the upcoming "voice to parliament" referendum. The most recent polling figures show 53% popularity for the No Vote (i.e. for those who do not wish to change the constitution) and a low 38% in support of the Yes Vote. On O...