Labor is questioning the Liberal Party’s decision in selecting one of their Bass candidates, claiming she is an “anti-vaxxer”.
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday night, Labor candidate Dean Winter called the announcement of Dr Julie Sladden ‘disgraceful’.
“Jeremy Rockliff was the health minister telling us all to get vaccinated [during the Covid-19 pandemic],” he wrote.
“Now he’s invited one of the most prominent anti-vaxxers in the state onto his team. After 10 years in office, is this the best leadership he can offer the state?”
Dr Sladden, who is currently elected as West Tamar Council councillor, argues against vaccine mandates, citing concerns over informed consent and side effects.
“I was forced to close my practice in the wake of the mandates back in 2021 … because I simply refused to get jabbed,” she said in a video.
“That was a personal decision for me, but I also had a very strong ethical opposition to the mandates.”
Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff has defended the decision, saying the Liberal Party’s “Team of the Decade” represents a range of diverse viewpoints.
“The Liberal Party is a broad church … We represent a range of views reflective of the Tasmanian community,” he said.
“Ms Sladden is a highly respected medical professional and I am excited to have her as part of my Liberal team.”
