(Image source from: Australia to cut welfare benefits)
Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children can lose up to $11,000 of welfare benefits a year under a new government policy, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced. Presently parents can choose to opt out of vaccinations for medical or religious reasons or by stating they are "conscientious objectors," and still receive taxpayer funded child care benefits. Under the new "no jab, no pay" policy, the exemption as a conscientious objector will be removed starting January 2016.
"The choice made by families not to immunize their children is not supported by public policy or medical research nor should such action be supported by taxpayers in the form of child care payments," said Abbott in a joint statement with Social Services Minister, Scott Morrison. Existing exemptions on medical or religious grounds will continue said Abbott, but guidelines on religious exemptions will be tightened. He added that no mainstream religious organizations have made any formal objection to immunizations. Thousands of families could lose out on welfare payments, under the new law.
Number of children in Australia who have not received immunization against measles and other diseases has almost doubled in the past decade. Anti-vaccination campaigns have recently gained traction in Western countries.
By Premji
