Mornings With John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the Cairns Regional Council's near-$400 million budget for the 2023-2024 financial year.  In a heated exchange Division 5's Councillor, Amy Edan, took advantage of her time to speak about her electorate's budgetary concerns by taking shots at her own Unity Team. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Manning, while chants of "let her speak" echoed from the near-full gallery. Councillor Olds reminded Councillor Edan not to make her time political and that battles are reserved for council workshops, many of which she did not attend. The controversial "tenant tax" (an increase in rates specifically targeting investment properties) was officially shut down. Ratepayers can still expect a 5.99% general rate rise.