Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, State Member for Barron River, about the Double Island lease held by Benny Wu's Fortune Island Holding Company and the push to see a return of facilities and tourism infrastructure. Last year, the Queensland government applied to the Land Court to have the lease stripped from Mr. Wu's company, claiming that leasing conditions had never been met. The lease for Double Island was acquired by Fortune Island Holding Company in 2012,  making it over 20 years now that locals have been waiting for major works to begin.

John MacKenzie chats with Tamara Srhoj who tells her story of a home invasion and the lack of support for victims of crime. Cairns residents are fed up with the "new normal" attitude toward rationalising criminal behaviour.

John MacKenzie chats with Richie Bates, former Cairns Regional Councillor for Division 5, about the upcoming local government elections to be held on 16th March 2024. Queenslanders will go to the polls to decide upon each council division, and of course, vote for their chosen mayor. 7 candidates have entered the race for the mayoral position for the region of Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Locky Bensted, Mareeba Shire, about the scourge of youth crime in Queensland and the rights of police officers. Following reports of officers in Queensland being too afraid to attend work due to the culture of fear created by violent criminals who now target police, Cr. Bensted brought into question the "duty of care" owed by government to its employees and citizens.

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller George, from Fetta's Greek Taverna, who is enraged at the decision to stand down a top Queensland cop guilty of pursuing criminals. The officer in question is accused of approving the direction to ram a car during a pursuit on February 1st on the Gold Coast. George shares his opinions on reinstating the officer, a growing opinion shared by many Queenslanders who are urging the Police Commissioner to put the veteran officer back on the beat.

John MacKenzie chats with Hayley from Cardwell who had to call the Department of Environment and Science to get help removing a 2.4-metre crocodile that was hanging out too close for comfort in her backyard.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Martin Bella, Mackay Regional Council, about the recent show of support by regional Mayors in Queensland to address the increasing concern of crime and youth offending. The state government's Youth Justice Reform Select Committee is holding an inquiry into crime in Cairns, with a forum being held today (7 Feb 2024). Cr. Bella has long stated that there must be a separation of the 'predators and their prey' arguing that the scales of justice need to be recalibrated in favour of victims suffering at the hands of juvenile thugs.

John MacKenzie chats with Warren Entsch, LNP Federal Member for Leichhardt, about traditional hunting methods meeting legal and moral obligations after a turtle was rescued off Green Island. The traditional practices are coming under scrutiny in an environmentally-conscious world where marine creatures, such as turtles, are killed for game and butchered in front of international tourists at popular destinations.

John MacKenzie chats with Sabine Schroeder about the community's desire to see the return of markets in the city, with DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) Shopping Centre on Mulgrave Road coming to the rescue. Cairns City once saw regular community markets held near the esplanade lagoon and additional markets held when a cruise ship was docked at the terminal. After news broke of Sabine's mission to see a return of regular community markets, she was inundated with positive reception from over 130 local vendors who are keen to be involved.

John MacKenzie chats with Mark Olsen, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ), about the return of flights from China for the Luna New Year, the very first since flights ended due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

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.