Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced on Sunday that the government will be introducing a new “no jab, no play and no pay” policy for childcare support.
Under the existing law, parents who have "conscientious objections" about immunisation can refuse vaccination but are still entitled to claim childcare and welfare payments.
"From 1 January 2016, ‘conscientious objection’ will be removed as an exemption category for child care payments (Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate) and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement," the Prime Minister said in a statement.
Although vaccine objectors will not be able to access these government payments, existing exemptions on medical or religious grounds will continue. According to the statement, a religious objection will only be available where the person is affiliated with a religious group where the governing body has a formally registered objection approved.
The government said because their parents are vaccine objectors over 39,000 children aged under seven are not vaccinated, up 24,000 children over 10 years.
