Qld presenter counselled over crime claim

A Queensland radio presenter wrongly claimed higher crime rates in indigenous communities, the media watchdog has found.

John MacKenzie, of 4CA's Morning Show in Cairns, told listeners in December last year that crime rates in Aboriginal communities on Cape York were "30 times greater than ours".

MacKenzie made the comment during a discussion with Queensland's housing minister about public housing and new rules restricting the amount of time a tenant can spend away from home.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) report says the statement breached the accuracy clause of the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice.

It also found the station has not made reasonable efforts to ensure the statement was correct.

Cairns Broadcasting Ltd, which owns 4CA, told the authority it has since counselled MacKenzie and also noted it was the first breach by the station in six years.

ACMA accepted the response and has not taken any further action against the station.