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.