Parents of un-vaccinated children will no longer to cry “conscientious objector” if they wish to enrol their kids into childcare, after new state legislation was passed today.
The law — which takes effect in January — will see all un-vaccinated children banned from NSW childcare facilities. Any centre which breached this law will be fined $5,500.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard says despite high vaccination rates, the law is still vital.
“All it takes is one unvaccinated child and dozens of others could be put at risk of serious illness,” he said in a statement.
“We are being very clear that choices of conscientious objectors, which are not evidence-based, will no longer be allowed to impact other families.”
Less sensible is legislation passed by the federal government today, which will dock Centrelink payments for parents whose children aren’t immunised, by $28 a fortnight. It’s less ridiculous/invasive then the mandatory drug testing being introduced for certain recipients, but it’s still pretty gross. Then again, just immunise your children.
