Tasmanian Premier Defends Election Candidate Who Spoke out Against Vaccine Mandates

‘I was forced to close my practice in the wake of the mandates back in 2021 … because I simply refused to get jabbed.’

A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine in Sydney, Australia on Oct. 3, 2021. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Tasmania’s Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff is throwing support behind a doctor, and state election candidate, who has expressed critical views against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Julie Sladden, a local general practitioner (GP) and an emergency doctor at Launceston General Hospital, was among the Liberals’ 35 new candidates set to run in the upcoming state election.