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 commented on a delegation that recently traveled to Hong Kong to lobby for the return of Cathay Pacific flights to Cairns City, which could see the annual injection of $ 200 million into the local economy.

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 explain how an advisory body will be the answer to problems facing Indigenous people and will help to "close the gap".  Opponents fear a lack of clarity or details as to how the new body of government will work or what their powers will be, and liken it to writing out a blank cheque. Campaigners have six weeks to inform voters in order to win a majority of people from a majority of states.

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 no complaints from constituents and that she would not support any bans, with many other councillors vowing that fishing will continue in Cairns.

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 work and sweat go into the yearly floats that many locals are calling for the parade to be postponed rather than canceled altogether. The date of October 14th is being floated as the new day for the 2023 Parade. Keep a look out!

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 transferred to the Townsville Hospital and the practice will be operated by Rural Health Management Services. Julie McKay applauded the efforts of the little Cardwell community for "fighting like tigers" for what was eventually a successful outcome.

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 immediately drove to the site to investigate, only to be set upon by the camper's dog! Danny Betros said that he had already "moved on" the illegal campers explaining that the site is ready for demolition to make way for the new Officeworks building.

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 Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll to put additional pressure on the government for immediate action. The rally was organised by "Voice for Victims" founder, Ben Cannon.

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".   You can have your say on local laws as a part of the Cairns Regional Council's public consultation initiative by emailing your thoughts to review@cairns.qld.gov.au Another proposed law change would see a complete fishing ban for the Cairns Esplanade, in response to safety concerns. The proposed ban has been met with fierce opposition from concerned stakeholders who see such a nanny-state move as a knee-jerk reaction by out-of-touch bureaucrats.

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 after a female shop worker was repeatedly threatened with being "bashed and raped".

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 in 2006 that saw the cleanup of ravaged towns in Far North Queensland, in particular the town of Innisfail.

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 own country”, she explained. Mr. Katter also touched on the subject of NT alcohol bans and how they drive many problem-stricken people into Queensland communities, where alcohol is legal and available. Robbie Katter is supported by many Indigenous Australians who live within his electorate, and appreciate his voice in the North.

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 events, a more streamlined process for removing problem unregistered vehicles, and allowing cultural fires.

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 dwellings and instead point to distant locations, such as nearby the Lotus Glenn Correctional Centre not far from Mareeba. To sign the petition, click here: https://tinyurl.com/jsr3axxp

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 keeping shelves full are not being supplied by local businesses.

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 welfare reliance.  Mr. Leavers reminded listeners about the importance of a back-to-basics approach in reducing crime, which should include the traditional policing of the streets. Ian also spoke with John about the announced new tasers that will become a part of the police arsenal. With an effective range of 14 metres (three times the distance of current tasers being used), a trial of the hi-tech tasers will begin soon in Queensland.

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 Manhattan Island marathon and Cairns is excited to have her join this local event that raises funds for the AFL Cape York House Foundation.

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 a more realistic alternative. Queensland's Labor Government has announced that a new, 40-bed "therapeutic centre" [youth jail] will open in Cairns by 2026, with a proposed site in Edmonton that is yet to be officially confirmed.

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 Bolshevik revolution in Russia in the early twentieth century.