BRISBANE, Australia—Conscientious objectors against Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s ‘no jab, no pay’ policy held a rally and parade in Brisbane city centre on Sunday June 22, 2015. Speakers addressed parents continuing to have a choice on immunisation of their children, making an informed decision, and continuing employment - by using childcare facilities and receiving childcare rebates.
Australian Government
Tony Abbott announced his ‘no jab, no pay’ policy on April 12, 2015. Conscientious objector exemption on child vaccination to receive childcare benefits will end on Jan. 1, 2016.
Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children will be denied up to $A15,000 ($US11,665) a year in childcare rebates. According to the Australian government, 39,000 children aged under seven are not vaccinated because their parents are vaccine objectors. This is an increase of more than 24,000 children over 10 years.
The government states that the choice made by families not to immunise 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.
Rally Supporters
Tammy from Manly, Brisbane, participated with her three children, who are vaccinated. She believes that everyone should have a choice: “It should be absolutely in the parents hands and I don’t believe that a government should take control of the health aspect of raising my kids, I believe that they’re not educated enough.” As a nutritionist, Tammy said: “I always recommend people to do their own research, to find out for themselves. I don’t say yes and I don’t say no.” She added: “You really need to look deeper than what you’re told on an everyday basis, just don’t swallow what you’re told on TV. Look deeper.”
