Independent Barker candidate Maddy Fry “heartbroken” after Convoy to Canberra donations go missing

She led anti-vaxxers to the capital on the Convoy to Canberra and now a Mount Gambier woman wants to lead Barker even though she’d rather not be a politician.

A leader of the anti-vaccine mandate movement has made an eleventh-hour federal election bid.

Maddy Fry, who was a vocal protester on the Convoy to Canberra, claims she had no idea what became of impromptu donations allegedly collected at a rally while she was on stage.

Running on a freedom-first platform, Ms Fry will challenge incumbent Tony Pasin for South Australia’s safe seat of Barker as an independent.

The Limestone Coast Pro Choice Movement committee member led weekly protests in Mount Gambier against the state government’s Covid-19 vaccine mandates, even garnering support from Mr Pasin.

Independent candidate for Barker Maddy Fry organised a freedom rally protesting mandates in December last year. Picture Arj Ganesan

While protesting in the capital Ms Fry recorded a Facebook live saying she had been named as a person “stealing donations” given to purchase a 120-ha plot of land to establish a new mega camp.

She denied the claims in the video and when discussing her candidacy this week said she had not known about any plan to call for donations and did not know what became of the money.

Ms Fry said she had “hopped on the mic” to re-energise the movement and “bring people back to their values” throughout the protest.

“People’s egos got in the road,” she said.

“We had so many different freedom groups from all over Australia attempting to unite as one.”

Mr Fry claimed another organiser had hopped up on stage “out of nowhere” to ask people to give $10 each for the land.

Maddy Fry from Mount Gambier attending the Convoy to Canberra protests in Canberra. Picture: Facebook

Maddy Fry said she was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” when the allegations emerged. Picture: Facebook

She said she was handed a cardboard box where she deposited the money before placing it on the ground.

“I had no idea that was going to occur and before I knew it, people were giving him money — I was on stage and people were giving me money,” she said.

“I actually removed myself.

“Morally it didn’t sit well with me, so the sad thing for me was I was put in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Maddy Fry is not optimistic about her election bid but hopes more people consider voting independent. Picture: Arj Ganesan

The Mount Gambier woman said the accusations broke her heart.

Though she is running as an independent, Ms Fry will follow Australia One’s policy position.

She believed more Australians than ever were becoming involved in politics and were disenfranchised by the major parties.

Ms Fry would not name her previous employer but said she lost her job as a youth mental health worker for failing to comply with government Covid vaccination mandates.

“I don’t want to be a politician … I would rather be spending my time supporting youth,” she said.

Though she does not believe she will win her election bid — she hoped her actions would send a message and convince others to vote independent.

“I’d love for a miracle to happen, but a win for any freedom party, independent or minor party is a win for myself,” she said.

Originally published as Independent Barker candidate Maddy Fry “heartbroken” after Convoy to Canberra donations go missing