MP hits back at jab jibes
O’Connor tells anti-vaxxers: Listen to the science
A GOLD Coast MP has spoken out against anti-vaccination conspiracy theories after being bombarded with comments objecting to a Facebook post about the COVID-19 jab.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said he was “absolutely shocked” to receive an online backlash after a post welcoming the first COVID-19 vaccination on the Coast being administered to nurse Zoe Park on Monday.
Commenters called Mr O’Connor a “deplorable puppet” who was “blatantly lying” for stating that the vaccine was safe, made claims about dramatic “side effects” and described the COVID-19 pandemic as “a hoax”.
Mr O’Connor said his staff had to remind him to be “calm and measured” in his responses. “I get very passionate about this. I’ve got a science degree myself and I’m on the board of advice for the Glycomics Institute,” he said.
“A lot of that is trying to promote the work that our institutes on the Gold Coast do and show the incredible science that goes on right within our community.”
Mr O’Connor said the Facebook ban on news sources had contributed to the misinformation being spread online.
Gold Coast Health’s Facebook page was among those pulled down when the ban was enforced last Thursday.
“In a week where we’ve got the vaccine rollout beginning, the fact that they banned news sources that are accurate and reliable and have obligations on them was outrageous,” he said.
“A few pieces that I tried to put up that I knew were reputable got banned as news. Even the Pfizer website that talks about the clinical trials got banned as a news source when
I tried to post that. It was just extraordinary.”
Results of a federal government survey last week showed widespread unease about the vaccinations, with 9 per cent of respondents saying they “definitely would not” get the jab and another 27 per cent saying they were “unsure” whether they would get vaccinated.
Mr O’Connor said both federal and state governments needed to do more to promote the message that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
“I encouraged people to rely on legitimate sources like govthem ernment health departments and they actually are doubting them, saying it’s propaganda,” Mr O’Connor said. “Biases against politicians seem to be extending to these government departments, which they (anti-vaxxers) are not understanding have to provide accurate information.
“... There needs to be better explanations from government about some of these things. What I’ve seen is a bit inadequate and it’s still very complex in terms of it’s wording. There’s nothing in front of people in Australia to make see why this is so devastating and why vaccination is so important.”
The comments on Mr O’Connor’s Facebook page came in the wake of anti-vaccination protests across Australia at the weekend, including one attended by more than 1000 people in Brisbane.
In the wake of the protests, chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said Queenslanders should have confidence in the vaccine.
“Across the world since we’ve seen this vaccine rolled out we’ve seen cases decline,” Ms Young said. “I certainly will be putting my arm out for the first vaccine I’m offered.”
A YEAR after The Language Academy was accredited to teach English, COVID-19 hit – a blow that should have been fatal for a company that revolves around international students.
Instead, its unique approach to language and culture has seen it expand into larger premises, with more growth in the pipeline.
The Academy, which began as a night-time Spanish language tutoring service, has grown to teach courses in eight languages, including English, and has moved into a 720sq m facility at Oasis Broadbeach.
The fit-out features 14 classrooms with smart-board technology, TVs and white boards, interactive computer lab, library and recreation area with an open kitchen.
Founder Pablo Carpio said while the pandemic stalled expansion plans, the Gold Coast had since benefited from an influx of students from Sydney and Melbourne.
Locals stuck in Australia by travel restrictions have also taken the opportunity to learn another language. “We only went to online learning for less than a month and we were back in our Mermaid location complying with COVID-19 regulations,” Mr Carpio said.
The Academy acquired government funding to enhance its online capability, a boost which has allowed it to teach international students in their home countries as they wait to enter Australia.
“This has been very successful in attracting and retaining enrolments for the courses by impressing the point of difference of the school to students,” Mr Carpio said.
“A great deal of international students chose to remain in Australia but were becoming dissatisfied with their condensed learning environments in other cities.
“Many of them relocated to the Gold Coast to continue with their English studies but took the opportunity to enrol in other languages at the same time. Similarly, Gold Coast locals with spare time on their hands and the inability to travel internationally also took up the opportunity to
learn another language, trend which is still growing.”
The Academy teaches English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and German from basic to advanced levels, with up to eight students per class.
Mr Carpio worked as a teacher in Ireland and the United States before moving to Australia in 2007.
He tutored Spanish at night while working at a language school during the day and found demand for his tutoring ballooned.
Mr Carpio decided to grow his business and lease a commercial
classroom – could call it that.
The entrepreneur initially leased an accountant’s office at James Street in Burleigh Heads, transform the room into his classroom each night.
As demand grew, Mr Carpio introduced Italian and Japanese courses, eventually expanding to a point where he was able to open The Language Academy in Mermaid Beach. He hopes the move to Broadbeach will ensure it continues its momentum.
“My vision was to find premises in a central location that had convenient access
if you
for students and to break the mould of the traditional language school in a backstreet of the suburbs for cheap rent,” Mr Carpio said.
Stage 1 offers six CRICOSaccredited English courses, together with basic to advanced courses in seven other languages.
Mayor Tom Tate the expansion.
“I am always delighted to see businesses thrive and prosper in this great city,’’ he said. “Importantly, this industry sector has a vital role in upskilling people from all nationalities.” welcomed