John MacKenzie speaks with Jason Christopher, Pharmacist & Managing Director Cairns Doctors & Whole Life Pharmacy, about the exacerbating crime and violence issue plaguing Cairns.

Jason and his staff are at their wit's end and have given up calling the police, whose resources are stretched, instead placing the blame on ineffective government INaction.

"There is a systemic failure for actions in regards to curtailing these sorts of things [crime and violence]... What sort of future do we have if our youth are so fragrantly abusing the system and know there's no consequences?" Jason explained.

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Allen from Yorkey's Knob, about his dog going blind after an injection.

Allen brought in experts from the southern cities that confirmed the condition, but not all hope was lost. Allen's dog is slowly regaining its sight after training and rehabilitation.

John MacKenzie chats with Gavin King (Host of 4CA's The King Review, Former State Member for Cairns & Assistant Minister) and Danny Betros (Managing Director of CBRE Cairns) about the crime emergency facing Cairns and Far North Queensland.

Brazen youth offenders are getting too close for comfort after a series of attacks against restaurants at a popular tourist hot-spot has seen operators turning to private security because of ineffective government policy that is not addressing the concerns of citizens.

John Mackenzie chats with Margaret Shaw, Consumer Insurance Advocate, for a positive update on the progress of the $10 billion reinsurance pool for Far North Queensland's cyclone-prone regions.

With some big insurers, including SURE, Suncorp, QBE, and Alliance, having already joined the pool, consumers are now waiting for the remaining giants, such as IAG and RACQ to commit.

Margaret Shaw saw the news as overtly positive with positive flow-on effects, however, she vowed to fight to the very end if needed to ensure the reinsurance pool is effectively executed.

A previous caller from today's show, Linda Tuck from Property Ladder Real Estate, explained how her insurance bill has already decreased by over 39% for some properties, all thanks to the newly-formed pool.

John MacKenzie chats with Paul Taylor, former senior Police Officer, for his response to a spate of attacks along the waterfront restaurants by a youth gang.

Mr. Taylor was horrified to hear about the attacks at the popular dining spot and he reiterated the need for local government to step up and be more involved in community safety.

On Tuesday evening a group of youths allegedly went from restaurant to restaurant smashing property and assaulting staff and patrons both verbally and physically, including smashing a pot plant and threatening to stab an individual with a ceramic shard. 

John MacKenzie chats with Joanne Borg, former Child Safety Executive, about the state of Resi care after the Minister for Child Safety ordered a review of the system.

Resi care is meant to operate as a place of safety and support for young people in need but has seen scathing reports from insiders who say there is no future for a young person living in this system, with reports of physical and sexual abuse by other children in care, drug and alcohol use, mistreatment of disabled children, and lack of support for carers who sometimes are the recipients of physical harm.

Joanne, with her first-hand experience, explained how the lack of proper support is directly responsible for the growing crime problems in Cairns and far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Peter Scott, Mayor of Cook Shire, about yesterday's visit by Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services due to Cooktown still having no birthing services available for pregnant mothers.

Mayor Scott was disappointed when Minister Fentiman did not even get in touch with him to discuss the return of the service to the region's hospital.  

"The emergency chopper... comes in probably four or five times a week, costing $35,000 bucks each time it comes in... you're looking at seven or eight million dollars [over one year]" Mayor Scott explained.

Birthing Services in Cooktown ceased in February 2022. Difficulties in recruiting staff are being blamed as the primary cause.

John MacKenzie chats with Dan Galligan, CEO of Queensland Canegrowers, about the first shipment of raw sugar to the United Kingdom under a new free trade agreement.

Australia has not had any significant exports of sugar to the UK since the 1970s, and none at all since 2017, due to the protectionist attitude of the European Union, which saw some tariffs as high as 98 euros per tonne. 

The free trade agreement should see Australia bring in around $74 million per annum from raw sugar exports.

John MacKenzie chats with Jared Abbott, Director of Organising at Transport Workers Union in Queensland, following an alleged robbery and assault of a Cairns bus driver and passenger by two teenage girls who have been charged.

A helpless 53-year-old female bus driver and a 37-year-old female passenger were both allegedly assaulted and the driver was robbed in Redlynch yesterday. When our local heroes in blue located the offenders, one police officer was allegedly spat on.

Jared spoke about the need for drivers and passengers to feel safe and protected whilst traveling on public buses in Cairns and Far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Acting Superintendent of Cairns Police, about youth justice reforms and new preventative trials to avoid auto theft.

Kevin explained how recidivism is a key factor, as the majority of crime problems in Cairns are caused by a minority of repeat offenders, and early intervention is imperative.

Vehicle engine immobilisers have also been a hot topic after $10 million in funding was announced by the state government for the subsidy of such technology.  The immobilisers require a pin code to start the car, which should effectively lower the rates of stolen vehicles.