Labor candidate apologises after claimed suicide of doctor may be due to overwhelmed health system
Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Labor’s candidate for Higgins, has been slammed for “politicising sensitive mental issues” following the tragic death of a doctor.
Victoria
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Anthony Albanese is under pressure to rein in Labor’s candidate for Higgins following a rogue social media post.
Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah on Saturday claimed the suicide of a junior doctor in Sydney may have been due to an overwhelmed health system.
“Why overwhelmed? Due to the incompetence of Morrison et al who failed at two critical jobs and now denies help to hospitals.”
She later deleted the tweet saying “I regret and apologise for any hurt caused which was motivated by the exhaustion and frustration that I like so many of my healthcare colleague feel in this difficult time”.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has called on Labor leader Anthony Albanese to condemn the comments.
“There are concerning cases here of politicising the most sensitive mental issues and of attacking one of the world’s leading vaccines,” Mr Hunt said.
“The ALP may wish to reconsider whether this person is an appropriate and credible representative for them.”
But Mr Albanese on Sunday refused comment on the matter.
The Herald Sun in July revealed the fight for Higgins will be a showdown of female doctors, after Dr Ananda-Rajah was selected unopposed to take on Liberal MP Katie Allen.
Dr Ananda-Rajah is a consultant physician in general medicine and infectious diseases at Alfred Health.
Alfred Health chief executive, Prof Andrew Way, said Dr Ananda-Rajah was conducting her candidacy for the seat of Higgins in her own time.
“This is unlikely to be an employment matter, though Alfred Health will consider whether any further consideration of the issue is necessary in due course,” he said.
Dr Ananda-Rajah has previously come under scrutiny following her comments on Covid-19 vaccines, which she has revealed “amused” her.
In one television interview Dr Ananda-Rajah told a man in his 30s, who said he accepted the risk of rare blood clots from AstraZeneca, to “be patient” and wait for the Pfizer vaccine.
She also criticised the efficacy of AstraZeneca and said she was “happy” the change in advice made the government buy more Pfizer doses for younger age groups.
Dr Ananda-Rajah said she always followed the health advice.
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