John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, State Leader of the Opposition and LNP Member for Broadwater, to hear his response to the Palaszczuk government's changes to youth crime legislation.

Mr. Crisafulli is pushing for tougher and realistic penalties that address juvenile criminal activity and protect the rights of the victims, reiterating the fact that no one should be living in fear.

David agreed that the "scales of justice need to be recalibrated in favour of the victims", a quote made by the Mareeba Shire Council in regards to crime.

John MacKenzie chats with Neville Fry, Tinaroo Dam Water-sports Enthusiast, about dams and alternate water sources for the Atherton Tablelands.

Mr. Fry explained that there was opnce a proposed dam for Millstream, near ravenshoe, which would be an additional source of water to the dam at Koombooloomba.

The Millstream dam was once proposed as a source of hydroelectricity and for excess water to be piped to Tinaroo for irrigation purposes.

John MacKenzie chats with Councillor Lenore Wyatt, Mareeba Shire, about the approval for eco-accommodation cabins to be built in the beautiful forests of Speewah.

Many see this as a positive step toward the much-needed recovery of Far North Queensland's tourism sector.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Susan McDonald about a letter signed by the Mayors of Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa calling for the State Government to introduce a "banned drinking register".

A register would be compiled by magistrates who could ban individuals from purchasing takeaway alcohol.

Senator McDonald has voiced her support for the move as a positive effort to help curb Queensland's exacerbating crime crisis.

Meanwhile, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has not embraced the idea, declaring the difficulities of its practical application.

John MacKenzie chats with Ian leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about the State Government's proposal to amend juvenile justice laws to better reflect community needs.

Mr. Leavers makes the salient point that lawmakers increasing maximum sentencing penalties is redundant if judges and magistarates make no effort issue them.

Communities across Queensland are are breaking point as they face unprecendeted levels of juvelile crime, with massive pressure being applied to the Palaszczuk Goverment to reflect the needs of society.

Some changes include:
- Increasing maximum senteces
- More severe penalities for offences commited after dark
- Increased panalties for posting crimes on social media
- Construction of two new youth detention centres

The interview with Ian Leavers is timely considering the news that the Mayors of Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa have sent a letter to the deputy premier, Steven Miles, asking for a "drinkers ban register" where a magistrate can issue a ban or limit on an individual purchasing alcohol.

John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Local Crime Emergency Activist, about youth offenders and ways to address the growing crime problem in Far North Queensland.

For several years now, Mr. Harley gives up his time to support disadvantaged youth in the community by excaping the cycle of drinking, drug-use, violence, and crime.

Ken has pointed to foetal alcohol syndrome as one of many route problems causing a lifestyle of misery. 

"What we need to start some action is a room full of people wioth common sense and a good heart" Ken Harley explained.

John MacKenzie chats with Neville Fry, Tinaroo Dam Water-sports Enthusiast, about the idea floated to expand the amount of water in Tinaroo by dredging.

A "Letter to the Editor" in today's Cairns Post, by Jennifer from Edge Hill, argues that there should be an end to "co-called environmental flows" and that dregding the dam would be a sure way to increase water capacity.

Neville Fry provided his local knowledge and expierence as a long-term frequenter of Tinaroo Dam in the Atherton Tablelands.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, about the Palaszczuk government's announced crime-fighting policies for Queensland.

The reintroduction of breach of bail laws was the surprise announcement, as the policy had hitherto been condemned by the state Labor party.

"In 2016, the Labor government removed... breach of bail for youth offenders" Mr. Goldsworthy said in today's Cairns Post, "[and] in 2019 the government further weakened youth justice laws by passing legislation yhat was designed to facilitate more grants of bail...".

Queenslanders are at a breaking point with the crime crisis being of utmost concern in their communities. The elected state governemnt must act now before things excaerbate further.

John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Chairman of the Redcliffe Highway Proposal (an alternate tablelands access route), about the Kuranda Range following yet another vehicle accident and temporary closure.

The quality of the road is demonstrably dangerous as sink holes have allegedly formed.

Mr. Harley continues putting pressure on the Queensland state goverment to address the long term solution that is access to the tableland via Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Alicia Prince, Head of Operations at Cairns Airport, about the announced $50-million upgrades at the international terminal.

The upgrades that will begin next month will be the first in 3 years. It is a move welcomed by our tourism industry.

Some upgrades will include new escalators, refurbished check-in and arrivals areas, new external cladding, and 4 state-of-the-art glass "airbridges".