John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about the proposed remote camps for troubled youths.

Mr. Katter supported the motion made by local councils to pressure the state government to respond to the youth crime emergency by providing facilities in remote locations which would limit the individual from committing harm, as well as teach them life skills in order to grow.

A recent annual meeting in Cairns held by the Local Government Association of Queensland focused on several compounding issues, including the rising juvenile crime rates faced by communities across Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Mario Mlikota, Mareeba Shire Councillor, about remote camps for troubled youth where vital skills can be learnt in hopes that their lives turn around.

Mareeba Shire submitted a motion at the Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference in Cairns, calling on the state government to introduce diversionary facilities in very remote locations across the state. The facility's aim would be to teach necessary skills in an effort to curb recidivism.

The motion was passed by the LGAQ, which puts pressure on the state government to act.

"Every Queensland community deserves to be a livable one..." Mr. Mlikota said.

John MacKenzie chats with Brett Moller, Cairns Regional Councillor Representative for Division 1, about solutions to curb the crime trend, which has become a major talking point at the LGAQ annual conference.

After 3 years the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has returned to Cairns to host its annual conference, with crime being a topic of conversation.

Although crime and policing laws are determined by the state government, local councillors expressed their opinions on the crime emergency plaguing Cairns and the Far North.

"...the sentence must be proportionate to the gravity of the offence and the responsibility of the offender" Councillor Moller stated.

John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, LNP Member for Broadwater and State Leader of the Opposition, about the need for the state government to tackle crime.

At the time of writing this article, Cairns and the greater region have seen 1066 cars stolen so far this year. This smashes the 782 total for last year and is up again on 2020's total of 542 stolen vehicles.

Mr. Crisafulli called on the state government to support councils and communities in the wake of what some are calling urban terrorism. He also reiterated that punishment still remains an effective deterrent.

Gavin King, covering for John MacKenzie, chats with talkback caller, Simon from Brinsmead, about potential and realistic solutions to tackle the youth crime issue.

Simon elaborated on the need for a military-inspired disciplinary program for youth who commit multiple and ongoing offenses.

John MacKenzie chats with LNP Senator Susan McDonald about the Albanese government's controversial agreement to follow the United States and sign up for methane reduction targets of 30% over 10 years.

Bigger polluters, such as China, India, and Russia will not back the pledge, leaving Aussie farmer's scratching their heads at the government's decision. 

In a surprise statement, Minister for Agriculture, Murray Watt attempted to explain that reducing livestock and methane would actually lead to cheaper meat.

Senator McDonald scolded the government's hasty decision.

John MacKenzie chats with Roger Ward, Director of Cairns Mortgage Brokers and Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, about the mortgage and financial stresses facing Cairns homeowners, as interest rates continue to rise.

The Reserve Bank of Australia raised rates to 2.6 percent, which is the highest it has been in seven years.

The rates rise will hit many hard as the cost of living has been dramatically increasing, including basic grocery, fuel, and utility prices.

John MacKenzie chats with Perri Conti, Co-Founder of Changing Cairns Crime Problems, in response to solutions provided by local members of parliament regarding the crime crisis.

All of our state and federal members weighed in on the crime issue providing a range of possible ways to curb the trend, ranging from remote relocation programs to early intervention and more liaison support.

However, Perri Conti blasted the politicians who focus on the rights of young criminals rather than victims of crime, arguing that governments owe a duty of care to their law-abiding citizens.

John MacKenzie chats with Ralph Cremer from NEAMCO, after the surprise announcement of its closure.

The closure is due to the retirement of owner Ray Fry, who has been in the engineering industry for decades. Ray's father, Dick Fry, was the local legend who founded NQEA, which was formerly one of Cairns' biggest employers.

Ralph spoke fondly and recalled memories of the local engineering family.