Mornings With John Mackenzie

John Mackenzie chats with Dan Purdie, LNP State Member for Ninderry & Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, about stretched policing resources in Queensland following a growing youth crime crisis that has seen police cars being targeted.

John MacKenzie chats with Geoffrey Thomas, Editor-in-chief at AirlineRatings.com, about a sales blitz by Qantas offering cheap international airfares and the first anniversary of Bonza, Australia's new, budget airline.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about Woolworth's controversial decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise this January 26th. The Woolworths decision has been labeled as "woke" by many Australians who have expressed their outrage. In response to the backlash, the supermarket giant has gone into overdrive with advertisements rationalising its new policy. The madness has extended to local government, with the Cairns Regional Council hosting a "Family Fun Day" instead of using the title "Australia Day". Senator Canavan courageously speaks out against this divisive move to quash Australia Day.

John MacKenzie chats with Allan Benn from Kamerunga about his "letter to the editor" regarding crocodile management and human priorities. This is following reported sightings of a crocodile at the Redlynch Valley bridge just downstream from the popular Crystal Cascades swimming spot. Allan made local headlines in December 2022, when his daughter's dog was snatched by a saltie at the water's edge on Stoney Creek Road, at a place frequented by children and people fishing. Allan Benn is running in 2024 for the Cairns Regional Council's seat of division 6.

John MacKenzie chats with Michelle from the Speewah Tavern about the Queensland Emergency Management Levy, designed to cope with disaster-affected relief and support. Michelle argues that more should have been done in the wake of Cyclone Jasper's flood event, considering there is already a tax designed that funds such relief. The levy was introduced by former state premier, Anna Bligh, and according to their website the "Emergency Management Levy (EML) is applied to all Queensland property via council rates to ensure there is a sustainable funding base for fire and emergency services when Queenslanders are at risk during emergencies such as floods, cyclones, storms as well as fire and accidents."

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about supermarket giant Woolworth's controversial decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise, even though a majority of the public supports the national day. The divisive move by Woolworths comes as recent polling shows around two-thirds of Aussies don't want the January 26th date changed.

John MacKenzie chats with Lui Garozzo, Managing Director of Total Food Network (based in Cairns, with operations in PNG), about riots and unrest on the streets of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.  Public servants, including police and military personnel, took to violence in the streets, even surrounding the residence of the Prime Minister. This was sparked by a payroll glitch that led to government staff being underpaid. Mr. Garozzo alleged that his staff in PNG were forced to hunker down for safety as rioters smashed every available shop front they came across.

John MacKenzie chats with Gina Court, who shares her experience of helping those in need following the epic floods that destroyed many communities in Far North Queensland. Tales of heroism and defiance against the odds abound in the Bloomfield region, north of Cairns, with stories of people clinging for life to sheets tied to trees. Gina has been traveling back and forwards and needs your support to provide relief and supplies to flood-impacted northern communities.  Call Gina on 0418770919 if you can help!

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, about Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham's bold new vision to bring youth crime under control in Queensland. Mr Massingham will be in charge of the QPS response to juvenile offending and has labeled social media as the "number one" driving force of exacerbating youth crime. Dr. Terry Goldsworthy provides his valuable insight into the audacious plans.

John MacKenzie chats with Deputy Mayor Brett Moller, CRC Representative for Division 1, about updates following the Cyclone Jasper flooding event: - A council notice to boil water has ended for some localities - Fisheries Creek bridge was addressed after being lost, leaving a community stranded - The rest stop at the Mulgrave River is still closed, including the toilet block, pending cleaning. The issue of crocodiles was spoken about, considering that some people in stranded communities are taking risks in croc-infested water to access the "mainland".

John MacKenzie chats with Deputy Mayor Brett Moller, CRC Representative for Division 1, about the stranded community in Goldsborough Valley who live across Fisheries Bridge that was destroyed in the recent flooding. Cr. Moller was attending the site along with members of the State Emergency Service, after speaking with locals through social media.  The issue was brought to the attention of many following a call from a listener Judy, who was supporting locals with boat rides across the river.

John MacKenzie chats with Martin Anton from Machans Beach about the destruction experienced in the wake of the recent flooding. Some residents in Machans have lost everything, sewerage lines are backing up, and telecommunications is limited or non-existent.   Mr. Anton is pleading with the Albanese Government to provide a swift relief package and to consider subsidising hotel rooms (like during Covid-19) for immediate use by flood refugees who now face homelessness. 

John MacKenzie chats with Roddy Rees, Sole Director of Cairns Adventure Group and Raging Thunder Adventure, about his flood experience and the new facility at Lake Placid being destroyed. The entire north has been inundated with unprecedented flooding that has damaged around 1,400 homes and countless businesses. The damage bill is expected to be in the billions of dollars.

John MacKenzie chats with Mel Fogarty, Carins North Local and Owner of Beyond the Willow Tree, about her part in amazing rescue efforts to save 60 people in one night at Holloways Beach, including 28 people stuck on a roof! Cairns and Far North Queensland experienced a 1-in-100-year flood event on Sunday  17th December 2023, following the crossing of Cyclone Jasper earlier in the week. 

John MacKenzie chats with Ian Leavers, President & CEO of the Queensland Police Union, about the announced new police helicopter for Townville, following unprecedented levels of crime, including an ambulance being targeted.