A controversial US anti-vaccination campaigner has cancelled her Australian tour, saying she feels threatened by "pro vaccine extremists" and "anti-free-speech terrorists".
Sherri Tenpenny, an osteopath who has infuriated doctors by linking vaccines to a range of disorders including autism, was due to arrive in Australia to run a series of seminars next month.
The author of "Saying No to Vaccines" had planned to tour Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast, a hot spot for anti-vaccination parents.
But after a campaign by health professionals and scientists to prevent her spreading dangerous "lies", the Australian organiser of her tour, Stephanie Messenger, issued a statement on Thursday saying she had cancelled her trip because "pro vaccine extremists" had made "continual, anonymous threats of vandalism and violence".
"We have reached a point where we can no longer guarantee the safety of those attending the seminar," said Ms Messenger, an anti-vaccination advocate who penned the maligned children's book Melanie's Marvellous Measles.
"Some people were planning to bring babies. The threats have been persistent. We are not able to insure that the attendees would be safe from harm."
The statement said "anti-free-speech terrorists" had threatened to bomb venues and commit other violence against venue owners, all of whom cancelled bookings for Dr Tenpenny's seminars in the past month.
"It's difficult to grasp why pro-vaccine extremists are so adamantly against freedom of speech. They have taken it one step further. They have blocked the freedom to hear information that is not in line with their pro-vaccine message," Dr Tenpenny said.
"I was coming to speak as an invited guest. However, given the level of hostility that has transpired over the last three weeks, and for the sake of my own personal safety, I have also cancelled my planned vacation in Australia."
The statement said although "additional options" were being considered, all tickets sold for the events would be refunded.
John Cunningham, a surgeon and spokesman for the pro-vaccination group that campaigned against Dr Tenpenny's tour, Stop the AVN, welcomed the news and said the only threats against venue operators were made by an anti-vaccine campaigner who threatened to burn down one property and bomb another if it cancelled her seminars.
Mr Cunningham, who previously called on the federal government to ban Dr Tenpenny from entering Australia, said the Australian community's outcry against her and her supporters had been overwhelming.
"Australia should be proud that as a nation, we have the ability to recognise when someone is trying to mislead us, and react accordingly. Free speech in Australia does not mean you have the right to say anything you like without fear of criticism.
"Rather, anyone from politicians to health practitioners to journalists should be prepared to face vigorous criticism whenever they try and spread lies and, in this case, what amounts to ideologically driven rubbish."
Dr Tenpenny is an osteopath who says she also worked as an emergency physician.
