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'No jab, no pay:' Australia cuts benefits for parents who don't vaccinate kids
(CNN)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.
Currently 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.
...snip...
He added that no mainstream religious organizations have made any formal objection to immunizations.
In response to the announcement, more than 7,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to the reforms.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/13/asia/australia-anti-vaccination-welfare-cut/
Currently 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.
...snip...
He added that no mainstream religious organizations have made any formal objection to immunizations.
In response to the announcement, more than 7,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to the reforms.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/13/asia/australia-anti-vaccination-welfare-cut/