Mornings with John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Nick Dametto, State Member for Hinchinbrook KAP, about the need for major parties to adopt "on-country" programs to help address the rise in crime and anti-social behaviour in Far North Queensland. Recent statistics have revealed that Queensland is the crime state of Australia, with the Far North being one of the worst per capita offenders.

John MacKenzie chats with Dale Last, LNP State Member for Burdekin, Shadow Minister for Rural & Regional Affairs, and Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, about major safety improvements needed for the Bruce Highway following the tragic death of three people in a horror crash north of Gumlu, Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Denis Muller, from the Centre for Advancing Journalism, Senior Fellow & Subject Coordinator for Journalism (Law & Ethics) at The University of Melbourne, about the release of Julian Assange. For over 12 years in total, Assange hid in political asylum and was then detained by British authorities, following the famous "Wikileaks" dump that revealed US classified...

John MacKenzie chats with Scott Worlein, Owner of SRW Security Services based in Ayr, to contrast the security implications needed to combat growing youth crime in a modern world.  Mr. Worlein was forced to expand his security business to include the patrolling of neighbourhood streets in the Burdekin Shire. Residents of Cairns' suburbs are sadly having to consider private security firms due to th...

John MacKenzie chats with Chris Grice, CEO of National Seniors Australia, about the cash vs cashless debate that has many people talking. The importance of keeping cash in our community should be stressed by all, as it can disproportionately affect older generations of Australians.

John MacKenzie chats with Geoffrey Thomas, Editor-in-Chief at AirlineRatings.com , for airline updates including Qantas's seat sale, the collapse of Bonza, and the exciting future for Cairns Airport, albeit remaining reticent on the details of any new flights.

John MacKenzie chats with Mark Raymond, Body Corporate Chair at Kamerunga Villas, about the urgent need to repair and restore mains power to the "Kamerunga Villas" living complex. Residents have been relying on backup generator power for the past 6 months, ever since the December 2023 flood event destroyed the mains infrastructure.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Denis Muller from the Centre for Advancing Journalism and Senior Fellow & Subject Coordinator for Journalism (Law & Ethics) at The University of Melbourne, about the ethical considerations following the appointment of a new interim CEO at Cairns Regional Council. The appointed interim CEO worked as a volunteer on the current Mayor's campaign and many are sugge...

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Martin Bella, Mackay Regional Council, about comments made by a former judge, Clive Wall, who 'slammed inaction over spiralling youth crime'. The need for a boot camp style of detention was again pushed for, as Cr. Bella reiterated his call to put space between the 'predators and their prey'.