Australia to deny benefits to parents refusing to vaccinate children
Parents who don't have children vaccinated will be denied some economic benefits
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his nation would adopt a "no jab, no pay" policy to block parents who refuse to vaccinate their children from accessing some government benefits.
The policy change comes amid a debate over immunisation for children, with some parents believing vaccines against deadly diseases are dangerous.
The anti-vaccination movement has coincided with the resurgence of measles, a preventable disease, in some European countries as well as in parts of the United States.
"It's essentially a 'no jab, no pay' policy from this government," Abbott said.
"It's a very important public health announcement. It's a very important measure to keep our children and our families as safe as possible."
Under current Australian laws, parents who have "conscientious objections" about immunisation can claim childcare and welfare payments.
If the measures are passed those parents would be denied the payments - which include childcare rebates, benefits and family tax benefit supplements - reportedly missing out on up to A$15,000 (HK$89,500) per child annually.