Tassie candidate Craig Garland shares bizarre conspiracy theories

Holocaust denial, anti-vaccine misinformation, and an extensive list of conspiracy theories are being disseminated by a Tasmanian political campaign director.

Holocaust denial, anti-vaccine misinformation, and an extensive list of conspiracy theories are being disseminated by a Tasmanian political campaign director.

Norm Vanderfeen is the campaign director for Braddon independent candidate Craig Garland, who also espouses anti-vax views.

Mr Garland told The Mercury that he believed Covid-19 vaccinations caused his mother-in-law’s shingles and heart palpitations as well as his aunty’s death by heart attack.

“Who is looking after these people that are being adversely affected by having to take this vaccine?” Mr Garland said.

“We’re seeing ambulances go past our front yard here every two or three hours – not a day goes by over the last few months.”

Mr Garland has shared anti-vax conspiracy theories on the website thebattler.com, which was set up and run by Mr Vanderfeen.

Mr Garland has a dedicated page within the site, garland.thebattler.com, where he shared an article claiming that Covid-19 vaccines tamper with human DNA.

Mr Garland said he does not necessarily believe the other conspiracy theories shared to the site by Mr Vanderfeen, but said he has “done his research” and was entitled to his views.

Independent candidate for Braddon Craig Garland at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

The site links to various web articles, including one that asks readers to “Free yourself from a lifetime of Holo-brainwashing about “Six Million” Jews “gassed” in “Gas Chambers Disguised as Shower Rooms”.

Another article purports to “Expos[e] Feminism and the New World Order”, and another claims that fluoride in tap water lowers human IQ.

The site has an entire page dedicated to “Zionism/Israel”, where it posts links to various anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and holocaust denial.

Mr Vanderfeen has also written several blog posts himself, one of which claims that 85 per cent of Australia is owned by a “cartel” of global banks.

The Mercury reached out to Mr Vanderfeen for comment.

Mr Garland is also a long-time environmentalist, but he said he was denounced by the Greens for his anti-vax views.

Mr Garland said he also lost favour with the Greens for sharing a meme which they interpreted as anti-transgender.

Braddon Greens candidate Darren Briggs said trans rights were non-negotiable.

Dr Briggs said he was disheartened to see such “dangerous and harmful” Covid misinformation becoming a feature of this election campaign.

“As a doctor I understand all too well the deadly and debilitating nature of COVID-19, and why vaccines are such a critical protection for all of us,” Dr Briggs said.

“While a handful of election candidates might be trying to undermine this important public health measure for political gain, the Tasmanian community has overwhelmingly embraced vaccination, and in rolling up their sleeves have already helped save many many lives.”

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