John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Tonia Marquardt, ), Public Health Medical Officer at Tropical Public Health Services Cairns, about the flying fox breeding season beginning and the associated risk of infection.

The breeding season sees more fallen juveniles which increases the chance of human exposure. Bats have a complex immune system with the ability to host a range of diseases, with the threat of lyssavirus being of most concern in Far North Queensland.

Twenty-three people have been bitten or scratched in Cairns this year so far. Do not touch or interact with any fruit bats you may see.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about the Voice to Parliament referendum results and what this could mean moving forward.

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, Australians went to the polls to decide whether to change the constitution to include an Indigenous advisory body in parliament. The No campaign has won a victory with the majority of states and territories.

John MacKenzie chats with Dave Sharma, Former Ambassador of Australia to Israel and former federal member for the seat of Wentworth, about the war declared in the Levant following an attack by Hamas against the state of Israel.

With events rapidly unfolding, a focus was placed on an interview between United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mr Sharma provided his valuable insight into this complex issue.

John MacKenzie chats with Lawrence Mason, Daintree Business Identity, about the Douglas Shire Council's hope of negotiating a private operator to run the Daintree River Ferry crossing.

The vessel will soon require replacing and many are using the opportunity to call for a bigger barge or a better alternative.  The proposal of a small bridge has been met with controversy by many residents who enjoy the isolated atmosphere of the region.

The ferry service currently transports over 200,000 vehicles per year and operates nearly 20 hours each day.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about the Israel-Islamic conflict following a strategic attack by Hamas on the Jewish state.

Senator Canavan also responded to a local news story where a limousine was allegedly stolen by two youths who sped down the highway clocking in at 180 km/hr!

John MacKenzie chats with Geoffrey Thomas, Editor in Chief at AirlineRatings.com, for updates on the Qatar and Qantas airlines controversy following a Senate committee's review of the matter.

The Senate committee has stated that there is much evidence that Qantas 'exercised considerable influence' over the government during its decision.

The federal government recently came under fire for denying Qatar Airways additional flights into the country, claiming it was in the national interest to do so. It was later revealed that 'keeping Qantas profitable' may have been a factor in the government's decision.

John MacKenzie chats with Bernice from Woree, an Indigenous Elder, about support for the Voice to Parliament referendum, the history of discrimination, and Jacinta Price.

Senator Jacinta Yangapi Nampijinpa Price is a popular politician from the Northern Territory. With her connection to country and her common-sense approach to policy-making, many are touting Senator Price as a future leader of the nation.

John MacKenzie chats with Paul, a talkback caller sitting in Cairns Hospital. Paul called into the show to ask for help in understanding how to vote in the referendum when stuck in a hospital.

A call was made to Warren Entsch, Federal Member for Leichhardt, who explained the process and made contact with hospital staff to assuage Paul's concerns.

John MacKenzie chats with Brett Olds, CRC Councillor for Division 9, about the Double Island agreement and the state government's intention to strip the lease from the current holder.

Conditions of the lease include that the Island is operational for tourism purposes, yet still sits idle. The Department of Resources will begin proceedings in the Queensland Land Court, alleging non-compliance.

The lease for Double Island is held by Benny Wu's Fortune Island Holding Company.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about the latest polling numbers in regard to the referendum on an Indigenous "Voice to Parliament".

Recent polls show increased support for the Yes Campaign, now sitting at 43 percent (according to The Guardian), with support for the No Vote now at 49 percent. This sees the Yes Vote up by 2 percentage points from previous polling.

Early voting locations are now open for those needing to cast their vote before October 14, 2023.