Mornings With John Mackenzie

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. 

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about cyclone mania and the knee-jerk reaction of council bureaucrats and their preemptive response to Cyclone Jasper.

John MacKenzie chats with Chris Hodgman, Chief Superintendent District Officer Townsville, about the unprecedented crime and anti-social behaviour plaguing Townsville, including targeted attacks on police vehicles.

Caroline from Wonga Beach called John MacKenzie with concerns about the local Telstra telecommunications tower and battery backup during Cyclone Jasper. Caroline felt as though her pleas were falling on deaf ears, but then Don from Yorkey's Knob suggested she call the John MacKenzie Show to get some answers. Long story short, Telstra was listening and issued this statement: "Good afternoon. We heard your caller to Macca from Wonga Beach, who was concerned about communication after Jasper crosses tomorrow. Just wanting to confirm we recently upgraded our battery backup at Wonga Beach, which should keep services online for a lot longer if/when the power goes down. It’s also on our priority list if services do go down. We also have a fleet of generators and our technicians ready to roll as soon as it is safe to do so to restore power or begin repairs to any affected sites." The power of radio lives on!

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Martin Bella, Mackay Regional Council, to contrast the crimes occurring in Townsville to Cairns and Mackay, following a spate of Police vehicles being rammed by juvenile thugs. At least 5 police cars have been rammed in the last week, and a TPI war veteran's vehicle was trashed and rammed. 75 vehicles were allegedly stolen in Townsville in the last seven days. The situation is timely, as Palaszczuk steps down as Queenslad's Premier following state-wide condemnation from victims of crime and violence who've had enough.

John MacKenzie chats with Councillor Locky Bensted, Mareeba Shire, about an act of civil unrest and riots against police in the streets of Mareeba. In unrelated incidents, police cars in Townsville were again targeted by youth criminals and rammed. Brazen thugs are now forcing entry to homes with bricks, bats, and clubs as residents hide in fear or bravely fight back in defence. "People are living in absolute fear. It is chaos like we've never seen before" remarked LNP state leader of the opposition, David Crisafulli. Councillor Bensted is outspoken against inaction on crime and wants to see a return to civility and respect.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Cathy Zeiger, CRC Representative for Division 3, about the convenient timing of the replacement councillor for Division 4 without the need for a by-election. With the early retirement of Bob Manning and the succession of Terry James as the new mayor, a gap was left in Terry's Division 4 electorate that needed filling. Due to the proximity of an upcoming local government election early next year, a by-election isn't necessary under state law. The considered candidate is likely to be voted in as a majority of councillors are comprised of the Unity Team, giving the new division 4 councillor an incumbent advantage ahead of the election. It was also revealed that a cover letter was adequate preparation required for the considered candidate, instead of their entire curriculum vitae being available.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Cathy Zeiger, CRC Representative for Division 3, who called in to tell a story about the brazen theft, and imminent return, of a $20,000 lawnmower from the Saints Hockey Club in Woree. The swift action from the Cairns Regional Council's CCTV team and the Queensland Police located the mower that had become stuck on a nearby train crossing. Cr. Zeiger reminded everyone that a small club cannot afford to have such expensive equipment stolen. Approximately 8,000 sausages would need to be sold at the next sausage sizzle to replace the lawnmower.

John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Local Crime Emergency Activist, about riots and unrest on the streets in Mareeba. Reports have come in of gangs of juveniles assaulting people in broad daylight in the main supermarket car park, including the elderly, making Mareeba feel like a war zone. Furthermore, the 'Enough is Enough Mareeba' Facebook page shows a video where a group of adults are in a riot-like battle in the middle of the street, and police cars are allegedly attacked, with a voice being heard saying "drag the motherf**ker outta the car". The Facebook group name rings true: enough truly is enough!

John MacKenzie chats with Rob Schwarten, former Queensland Parliamentarian, about Palaszczuk's popularity as premier of the state, and the direction of the Australian Labor Party in the modern world.

Danny Betros from CBRE points to the mismanagement of Anzac Park beside the Casino in Cairns' CBD. Danny observed drunken itinerants talking over and garbage piles not being cleaned and reiterated the need for a strong council with a vision for an environment we can all enjoy living in. Following the talkback call, the new Deputy Mayor Brett Moller went to investigate Anzac Park and concurred with Danny's reports, saying that the issue would be swiftly fixed.