John MacKenzie chats with Roger Ward, Director of Cairns Mortgage Brokers and Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, about the many households that will be forced off their fixed-rate home loan.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has data revealing that 53% of Queenland home loans will be pushed back on to a variable rate.

The end of a fixed-rate loan could mean an average increase in payments of $1114.

John MacKenzie chats with George Karagiannis, Owner of Fetta's Greek Taverna, about the proposed 6-story tower at Palm Cove.

A recent trip to the Gold Coast showcased to Mr. Karagiannis what is most undesirable: tall buildings that rise up and shadow the sandy beaches.  Many want to keep Palm Cove as a lush, tropical oasis rather than a concrete jungle.

If you are opposed to the currently proposed development for Palm Cove then you need to email your concerns to the Cairns Regional Council.

Letters against the development can be emailed to [email protected]

Alternatively, to sign a petition, then head down and find the stall at the upcoming Palm Cove markets held on Sunday 2nd April 2023.

John MacKenzie chats with Lance, Grandfather of 20-year-old Declan Laverty who was fatally stabbed at a Darwin bottle shop on Sunday.

Lance thanked the community of Cairns and the public of Australia for their support during this tragic time.

A 19-year-old faces charges for the alleged murder of Declan Laverty.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Byrne, Executive Manager of Enterprise North and Former Mayor of Cairns, about his opinion piece written in The Cairns Post titled "Drinker Bans in FNQ Won't Solve Problem".

Mr. Byrne elaborated on the growing fears in the community for action to be taken on rising crime, and pointed to the reintroduction of rehabilitation centres as a method of recovery.  

"The empty... hostel at Hartley Street, Portsmith is ideally located for that purpose", he stated.

Kevin also provided a case study example that occurred in 1993 where the council successfully repatriated violent lawbreakers away from Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, to gain his perspective on the new youth crime reforms.

Katter's Australian Party would like to governement to offer more practical solutions to curb youth crime, including a remote camp where juveniles learn vital skills, similar to the "Petford Youth Camp" once operated by the legendary Geoff Guest and Aunty Norma.

Robbie Katter also provided an update on the flooded Gulf regions after visiting Northern Queensland to provide his support.

John MacKenzie chats with John Herron, Lawyer and Victims of Crime Advocate, about the changes to Queensland law in regard to youth crime and justice.

John Herron is himself a victim of crime, after his daughter was murdered in 2019 by an offender who was already on bail. 

Mr. Herron explains how the legislative changes won't be enough to curb the crime trends and provide support to the victims.

John MacKenzie chats with Tara Bennet, CEO Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree, about a recent trip to New Zealand to lure visitors to the Cairns and Douglas Shires.

Statistics show that NZ visitation is down 80% on pre-pandemic numbers. 105K room nights in Port Douglas were filled by New Zealanders prior to Covid-19.

"New Zealanders appear to be six months behind in terms of appetite and confidence to travel die to their delayed reopening" Tara bennett was quoted.

The star of the trip was Nunu Restaurant's Co-Owner Nick Holloway from Palm Cove, who wowed audiences with his passion about the amazing food-bowl produced in Far North Queensland and its connection to quality restaurant dining.

John Mackenzie chats with Michelle from Edmonton, about what can be done to mitigate the negative effects foetal alcohol syndrome can have on children.

Michelle has first-hand experience living with and learning how to help those affected by the syndrome. She argues that not all hope is lost for children born with alcohol syndromes or similar disorders, explaining ways to correct the behavior of troubled kids, ranging from old-school discipline to controlled breathing techniques.

Michelle provides a vuluable and powerful perspective into this ongoing issue.