Dr. Julie Sladden, a registered general practitioner and emergency medicine doctor since 1997, was selected by the centre-right Liberal Party to contest the northern electorate of Bass in Tasmania’s early elections on March 23. However, her candidacy has been met with objections from the Australian Medical Association (AMA), with Dr. Annette Barratt calling it “untenable.” Despite this, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has stood by her.
Dr. Sladden decided to close her practice in 2021 due to her strong objections to the COVID-19 vaccine. She believed that the risks associated with the vaccine did not outweigh the benefits, especially in terms of potentially infecting her patients. Her attempts to communicate her concerns to Tasmanian politicians were largely ignored, leading to her being labeled as an “anti-vaxxer” in the eyes of the health establishment.
Despite facing criticism, Dr. Sladden has continued to write articles on the topic, including a popular piece co-authored with Julian Gillespie. The debate surrounding COVID vaccines has been ongoing, with differing opinions on their efficacy and safety. Dr. Barratt maintains that the vaccines have saved lives, a sentiment echoed by many in the medical establishment.
The article highlights concerns about the stifling of dissenting voices in the medical community and the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 policy interventions. Questions are raised about the role of the AMA in Australian democracy and the need for diverse viewpoints and freedom of discussion on controversial issues.
Overall, the situation involving Dr. Sladden’s candidacy and the AMA’s response is seen as a concerning development for Australian democracy and the medical profession. The author expresses the opinion that the AMA’s actions may be more focused on attacking other doctors rather than representing the best interests of the population.