Social media applauds Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy for taking on anti-vaccination trolls

EXCLUSIVE: PEOPLE from all walks of life have applauded Health Minister Jill Hennessy for turning the tables on anti-vaccine campaigners who abuse and harass her in a remarkable video. SEE IT HERE

VICTORIAN Health Minister Jill Hennessy has turned the tables on vile anti-vaccine campaigners who threaten and harass her.

Ms Hennessy has shone a light on the practices of militant “anti-vaxxer” trolls by releasing a swath of their abusive messages, which include calls for her execution and prayers that she fall ill with cancer.

On making their threats public in a remarkable Herald Sun online video, Ms Hennessy said Victorians should be aware of anti-vaccine proponents’ true nature so as to be better able to balance their unfounded claims against science.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy hits back at vile trolls. Picture: David Caird

“No level of abuse from the anti-vaccination movement changes the fact that vaccinations save lives … (or) that without vaccinating our children we will not defeat many of the great public health challenges that we have,” she said.

“So they can type away with acid fingers providing all sorts of awful insults to me — it will have absolutely no impact on my personal commitment to vaccination and staring down the myth-makers.”

Many have applauded the Labor MP’s stance, commending her for her bravery in calling out her online critics.

“Fantastic way to shame the faceless trollers. Well done Minister for your courage and unwavering commitment,” one wrote on twitter.

“Fighting lies with facts. Time for a bit more respect in our public discourse, I think,” another responded.

@JillHennessyMP those trolls put other kids at risk shame on them for trolling you kudos to you for standing your ground

— Jenelle Marshall (@HAWKSHEROES) October 20, 2016

Awesome work by my mate @JillHennessyMP and trolls beware. The ambo army got Jill's back! Bring it! #springst #injillscorner #westrespect

— Danny Hill (@DannyHillAEAVIC) October 20, 2016

Ms Hennessy said she was bombarded with hate mail and misogynistic and often violent social media messages whenever policies to increase vaccination rates were aired.

VACCINATION MYTHS BUSTED: NO CREDIBLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AGAINST VACCINATION

ANTI-VACCINATION: WENDY TUOHY ON MIRANDA KERR BEING FACE OF WOMEN’S HOSPITAL

She wants parents who have legitimate questions about vaccination to consult doctors, not anti-vaxxers.

“People should be under no illusions: the anti-vaccination movement is not a group of peace-loving hippies, as some might assume. They are an organised group that peddle misinformation that is dangerous, and their advocacy techniques are unhelpful, abusive and downright rude,” she said.

Just some of the hateful messages.

“There is a certain irony that people who purport to advocate on behalf of children’s wellbeing make threats of violence, threaten the wellbeing of vaccination advocates’ children, and use language which at its best is childish and at its worst constitutes harassment.

“If you are unable to prosecute an argument without having to go to such steps, then you probably don’t have a very good argument in the first place — and that is very true of the anti-vax movement.

Belgin Colak, an administrator for the Anti-Vaccination Australia Facebook community of 5800 members, said she was unaware of any threats to the minister.

There is no suggestion any of the threats to Ms Hennessy have been made via Ms Colak’s Facebook group, by its members, or by her.

“As a woman I don’t agree with anyone being spoken to in that way,” Ms Colak said.

“On the other hand, I do understand people are upset.

“People feel like this (no jab, no play) legislation is being forced upon us and we don’t have a choice; therefore, people are angry about it.”

As of this year, early childhood services must verify full immunisation, or an exemption, during enrolment.

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VACCINATION MYTHS BUSTED: NO CREDIBLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AGAINST VACCINATION

ANTI-VACCINATION: WENDY TUOHY ON MIRANDA KERR BEING FACE OF WOMEN’S HOSPITAL