Mornings With John Mackenzie

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.

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.