Mornings With John Mackenzie

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 Council's Mayor Bob Manning happened to be in-studio to comment on the resolution.

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 should be quickly building dams if they are predicting bigger drought seasons.  "Why did Jim Chalmers, in his first budget, cut all the funding to build dams?" Senator Canavan said, "So the solution seems to be to shut everything down... to fight this climate change thing."

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 14th, 2023. It will mark the first time Australians have voted in a referendum since 1999. Dr. Williams provided his valuable insight into polling news that keeps unfolding rapidly.

"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: Opening of the Cairns Lagoon in 2003, (from left) John MacKenzie, Singer Graeme Connors, Premier Peter Beattie, Mayor Kevin Byrne.

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, some business owners are making the tough decision to EFTPOS only, even if it means losing profits.

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 assured as inevitable in the upcoming summer months; many are rejecting off-putting wind turbines and instead looking toward realistic alternatives to coal.

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 council staff who allegedly witnessed unsafe fishing behaviour, and proposed the idea for consultation.  The community's backlash and opposition have been loud and conspicuous, and it's being highly speculated that an outright ban is unlikely. 

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. What began in 2019 as a $9.8 million safe crossing for wildlife at Smith's Gap, has now become an example of bureaucracy gone wrong as the budget has more than tripled, has faced lengthy delays, and evidently isn't being used by cassowaries as intended. Cassowary advocacy groups collaborated with governmental agencies to develop the unsuccessful initiative.

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 acknowledging that it was designed to be a temporary place of care, but has morphed into a place for long-term living. Luke Twyford explained how Resicare homes are somewhat clinical and unhomely, meaning that children were hesitant about spending much time there.

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 increased support for the "No" vote over the "Yes" vote (which is sitting at 38% support), with statistics as high as 61% in regional areas in support of voting "No". On 14th October 2023, Australians will decide in a referendum vote whether or not to include Indigenous Australians in the constitution as a recognised governmental body to advise on lawmaking decisions.

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 the idea came to her after her own experience trying to engage her son, and found that video games were the prevailing saviour.  “The idea is to get kids affected by family violence off the streets and out of crime and into playing video games to educate and empower them,” Sabrina explained.

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 facing backlash from legal societies who want to lobby for increasing the age of criminal responsibility. 

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 positions of government and the policing force in Queensland.

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 October 14 2023 Australians will vote to amend the constitution to add a governmental Indigenous advisory body. On other matters, Dr. Williams commented on the falling popularity of Labor politicians in Far North Queensland, in particular around Cairns and Townsville, with youth crime being the primary motivator.