Mornings with John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, about the increase in the market of dive tourism and the potential return of Cathay Pacific Airlines. With strong numbers coming from Europe, the USA, and the United Kingdom the demand for adventure tourism experiences is rising, with diving expeditions and courses returning to circa 60% of pre-pandemic levels. Mr. Olsen also com...

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about the upcoming referendum on October 14th, 2023 where Australia will vote to change the constitution to include an Indigenous "voice to parliament". The "voice" would work as an additional branch of government to advise on policy that affects Indigenous Australians.  Proponents e...

John MacKenzie chats with Rob Erskine, owner of Tackle World on Aumuller Street, for his response to a listener who asked if the CRC can ban fishing on the Esplanade if it falls beyond local council boundaries. The Cairns Regional Council has recently proposed a complete fishing ban for the esplanade, citing safety and litter concerns. Division 5 Councillor, Amy Eden, has confirmed she has heard n...

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about a range of topics, including parking fine increases, the Cairns Festival Parade's potential rescheduling, and a digital sign at the northern beaches. The big subject in question is the rescheduling of the Carins Festival parade which was canceled at the last minute due to it raining in the wet tropics. Such hard wor...

John MacKenzie chats with Julie McKay, Manager of Cardwell Family Practice, following the win to stay open after the practice had struggled to recruit new doctors. For five years to no avail, the Cardwell Family Practice had been advertising a $500,00 per year role for a full-time general practitioner. But after a long battle to stay open, the state government has announced that management will be...

John MacKenzie chats with Danny Betros, Managing Director of CBRE Cairns, about an illegal campsite at the old Turners building with mountains of rubbish piling up and a dangerous dog on site. The campsite was revealed by a talkback caller earlier this week who was disgusted by the state of the location and felt unsafe walking by. Deputy Mayor of Cairns, Terry James, was listening to 4CA and immed...

John MacKenzie chats with Aaron McLeod, President of The Crime and Justice Action Group, following his attendance at a victims of crime rally in Brisbane. A massive crowd met in the streets outside parliament to demand action from the Palaszczuk after distraught Queenslanders have had enough of exacerbating crime and disorder around the state. Aaron was able to have a discussion with Queensland Po...

John MacKenzie chats with Acting Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini, Commander of the Youth Crime Taskforce, for an update on the state of crime in Queensland, in particular younger offenders. Mr. Marchesini explained his focus on early intervention after it was revealed that the majority of hardline young criminals are reoffending within 12 months.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Cathy Zeiger, CRC Representative for Division 3, about dog management in the CBD and a proposed fishing ban for Cairns Esplanade. Since 2011, a bylaw stands that bans pets from effectively the entire CBD of Cairns. The realisation of the existing law has many residents confused, especially local cafe owners within the designated area who advertise as "pet-friendly".  ...

John Mackenzie chats with Andrew Nakovics, Co-Owner of Cardzilla, who recently spoke out against crime and gangs of offenders who are terrorising local businesses. As a security measure, Cardzilla is now keeping its doors locked during operating hours with a sign at the front encouraging customers to knock. Businesses in neighbouring suburbs have also been locking their doors during the daytime af...

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...

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 ow...

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...

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 dw...

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...

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 welf...

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 Man...

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...

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 Bolsh...

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 Q...

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....

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...

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 previous...

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.