Australia to penalise parents of unvaccinated children

[catsmate]

The Australian government has announced that it intends to stop welfare payments to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.

The "no jab, no pay" policy may cost parents more than A$11,000 a year per child in lost benefit payments.

Families with children not immunised have been able to receive childcare cash if they have a philosophical or religious objection to vaccines.

PM Tony Abbott said that the rules would soon be substantially tightened.

He said that there would only be a small number of religious and medical exceptions to the new rules - supported by the Labor opposition and due to come into effect in early 2016.

This should stir things up. And maybe save a few lives.

More.
BBC.
ABC.
The Australian.

 

[Cleon]

I'm not comfortable at all with this.

Even the children of jackasses need to eat, and it's not their fault that their parents are idiots.

 

[Stacko]

I'm not comfortable at all with this.

Even the children of jackasses need to eat, and it's not their fault that their parents are idiots.

This. I think it should be classified as child abuse.

 

[Rum]

I think it is the universal 'child/family allowance', which everyone gets for the simple fact of having kids that they will be stopping. All families, even those who work, get it.

 

[Tatyana]

Why should people who are not contributing to the greater good, at least as far as health and welfare of society goes, be able to benefit from the state?

I think Americans are confused, this is not welfare benefits for people who are not working, these are more like tax benefits and deductions because you have children.

They would lose a childcare benefit of up to $205 a week, the childcare rebate of up to $7500 a year or the Family Tax Benefit A annual supplement of up to $726.

It is the middle class new age woo types who are avoiding vaccination, not the poorest members of society.

 

[shemp]

I'm not comfortable at all with this.

Even the children of jackasses need to eat, and it's not their fault that their parents are idiots.

Even the children of jackasses need to be protected against polio, measles, pox, etc., and it's not their fault that their parents are idiots.

And while we're at it, to hell with religious exemptions too. Children shouldn't have to be sacrificed to idiotic beliefs.

 

[fuelair]

Even the children of jackasses need to be protected against polio, measles, pox, etc., and it's not their fault that their parents are idiots.

And while we're at it, to hell with religious exemptions too. Children shouldn't have to be sacrificed to idiotic beliefs.

Not at all funny - but very much true!!!!!

 

[rjh01]

What would be more effective would be if it was legal for schools and other child care facilities to be able to employ someone to give these vaccinations to almost anyone who has not been properly vaccinated.

 

[FenerFan]

More good news from Australia in the battle against harmful woo.

An Australian charity linked to controversial American anti-vaccination campaigner Sherri Tenpenny has been struck off the federal government's charity register.

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission cancelled the registration of Get Rid of Sids Project Inc, which promoted the unproven toxic gas theory as a possible cause of SIDS, after a review into its operations.

The Queensland-based charity's treasurer Stephanie Messenger authored the anti-vaccination children's book Melanie's Marvellous Measles. Ms Messenger also organised a series of lectures planned in Australia by Ms Tenpenny, an osteopath who believes vaccines are linked to autism, asthma and auto-immune disorders

http://www.theage.com.au/national/aussie-organisation-linked-to-antivaccination-campaigner-sherri-tenpenny-has-charity-status-revoked-20150408-1mgo6n.html

 

[cullennz]

I read somewhere yesterday those that chose not to for religious reasons and those whose children actually medically can't have vaccinations don't count

So all the nutters can just say their religious

 

[lionking]

I think it is the universal 'child/family allowance', which everyone gets for the simple fact of having kids that they will be stopping. All families, even those who work, get it.

Simply not true. The payments are income tested. My family didn't get it.

 

[lionking]

So all the nutters can just say their religious

Not true either. It has to be an established religion with an objection to vaccinations. This is an important issue as the AVN (anti-vax nutters) tried to set up a bogus religion for its members to join. Didn't work.

 

[MG1962]

Not true either. It has to be an established religion with an objection to vaccinations. This is an important issue as the AVN (anti-vax nutters) tried to set up a bogus religion for its members to join. Didn't work.

That was tried down in your neck of the woods if I am not mistaken

 

[fuelair]

Or, maybe threaten to depenalize the male parent. I 'spects that would fix the problem swiftly!!!

 

[arthwollipot]

Not true either. It has to be an established religion with an objection to vaccinations. This is an important issue as the AVN (anti-vax nutters) tried to set up a bogus religion for its members to join. Didn't work.

According to Reasonable Hank, the only religion that is eligible for a religious exemption is Christian Science, and they have never applied for it, and in fact don't even have a religious objection to vaccination, and don't prevent their adherents from being vaccinated.

 

[Puppycow]

I'm not comfortable at all with this.

Even the children of jackasses need to eat, and it's not their fault that their parents are idiots.

Do you think they will let their children go hungry or just get the bloody jab already. If it's the latter, the end result is good. They can continue to receive their welfare check and the kids are now vaccinated.

I lean toward the view that it should simply be mandatory for all, except for those with legitimate medical reasons. No exception for religious reasons or any other irrational reason. So while I'm kind of OK with this policy if it will get more kids vaccinated, I would prefer making it mandatory for all, not just welfare recipients.

 

[Damien Evans]

That was tried down in your neck of the woods if I am not mistaken

Nah, it was the nutters in Nimbin.