Labor opposition leader Steven Miles has criticized Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s stance on vaccinations, linking it to the current measles outbreak across the state. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Miles attributed the rise in measles cases to the anti-vaccination sentiment, which he claims has been fueled by the Liberal National Party’s (LNP) rhetoric.
According to Miles, measles is a “very dangerous but completely preventable disease,” and the outbreak is a direct result of declining vaccination rates. He specifically targeted Premier Crisafulli for not actively encouraging parents to vaccinate their children. “This is the direct result of declining vaccination rates and the fact that we have a premier who won’t encourage Queensland parents to get their kids vaccinated,” Miles stated.
Vaccination Rates and Political Controversy
The controversy intensified last month when Premier Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie declined to disclose whether they had received flu or COVID-19 vaccinations, framing it as a personal decision. This follows confirmation from Queensland Health director-general Dr. David Rosengren that the state’s vaccination rate stands at under 28 percent, the lowest in Australia. This low rate is contributing to mounting pressure on the public hospital system as flu and COVID-19 cases rise.
“The real problem is sowing the seeds of doubt, and that is what drives this anti-vax sentiment,” Miles said. “The fact that he cast doubt on flu vaccination undermines the entire [messaging].”
Measles alerts have been issued for several regions, including Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Cairns, Mackay, and Townsville, as health officials work to contain the spread.
Debate Over E-Bike Regulations
In a separate development, a tragic accident involving a motorbike has reignited the debate over e-bike regulations on the Gold Coast. A 17-year-old motorbike rider died following a collision with a guard rail at Tallebudgera, prompting Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to call for stricter laws on e-bikes. Tate suggested that e-bikes should be registered and their speeds reduced in high-traffic areas.
However, Peter Bourke from We Ride Australia argues that the real issue lies with unroadworthy motorbikes, not e-bikes. “A lot of the issues here are motorbikes that are unroadworthy and unregistered,” Bourke explained. “If they’ve got high power or they can go without pedalling, these are motorbikes and we certainly need to be controlling that.”
“That’s educating parents, educating children about the impact they’re going to have because this is the equivalent of driving a car without a licence and that can have a long-term devastating impact,” Bourke added.
Current regulations state that to be used in public, an e-bike must be predominantly pedal-powered, with a small electric motor providing assistance only up to 250 watts, and the motor must cut out at 25km/h. Motorized bikes that exceed these specifications are not permitted on public roads or paths.
Coorparoo’s Dendy Cinema Reopens
Meanwhile, Coorparoo’s Dendy cinema is set to reopen after months of closure due to repairs from Cyclone Alfred earlier this year. The cinema’s closure had sparked speculation among locals, with many expressing frustration over the lack of updates.
In a statement on their Facebook page, Dendy Icon Group chief executive Sharon Strickland announced the reopening, expressing gratitude for the community’s patience. “After a challenging period of repairs, it means the world to us to have our flagship cinema ready to open its doors once again,” she wrote.
“As a heartfelt thank you for your patience and loyalty, we will be gifting you an extra year’s membership to your Club Dendy account and a ‘welcome back’ $1 ticket [subject to terms and conditions]. Your membership tier and points will also have been fully retained, so from Wednesday, October 1, you can enjoy all your usual benefits the moment you return.”
The cinema will feature a lineup of films including “One Battle After Another,” “Kangaroo,” and “The Smashing Machine,” offering a fresh start for moviegoers eager to return to the big screen.
