Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senators Williams and Canavan, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that childhood immunisation is one of the most effective ways of preventing disease;

(b) acknowledges the removal of 'conscientious objection' as an exemption category to immunisation for preventable diseases for child care payments (Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate) and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement;

(c) condemns the Townsville Greens for supporting the debunked and discredited research of individuals to justify their scaremongering and continuing to expose children to the dangers of preventable childhood diseases; and

(d) calls on all parties to support the implementation of the 'no jab no pay' policy as part of a science based approach to stopping the spread of communicable childhood diseases.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I commend Senator O'Sullivan for his support of childhood immunisation—it is indeed one of the most effective ways of preventing childhood diseases, and it is something that I have spoken about in this chamber many times. There is no stronger supporter of childhood immunisations in the Australian parliament than me and the Australian Greens. What I object to is that this motion condemns an entire branch of the Greens for the statements of several individuals. It is true that there are several individuals within the Townsville Greens—as there are within every party—who have concerns about immunisation; but we do not put motions to condemn an entire political organisation. We do have people on the fringes in our party, but the difference between our party and the Liberal Party is that you have them in the parliament. Look at Cory Bernardi—a case in point.

Question agreed to.