Dan
2013-05-30 00:50:50 UTC
Gee, anti-vaxxers are really desperate to save their bodycount.
http://skep.li/12PU3oL
ALICIA WOOD THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MAY 30, 2013 12:00AM
CONTROVERSIAL anti-vaccination campaigner Meryl Dorey has been
encouraging parents to join "sham" churches to exploit a loophole in the
government's tough new vaccination policy.
Under new laws introduced on Tuesday, unvaccinated children are banned
from childcare centres unless their parents can prove immunisation was
against their religion or would cause a dangerous medical reaction.
Ms Dorey, who founded the Australian Vaccination Network, has urged her
followers on social media to join the "Church of Conscious Living" as a
way of avoiding the vaccination laws.
Health Minister Jillian Skinner was yesterday forced to answer questions
in parliament about the loophole in her new laws, but admitted her hands
were tied.
"The NSW government is not legally able to prevent people practising a
religion or following religious beliefs," Ms Skinner said.
The Church of Conscious Living was founded by Jane Leonforte and Adriano
Regano in Queensland in 2008, with the express purpose of creating a
front for vaccination exemptions. In a letter sent by the "church" to
their followers, Ms Leonforte and Mr Regano admit "we have decided to
create a 'religion', so, amongst other things, we can claim 'religious
exemption', if the need ever arises, for ourselves and our children."
It costs $25 to become a member of the "church", which believes the
"body is a sacred space" and preaches "the rejection of orthodox
vaccination, for both adults, children and animals".
Ms Skinner said she was powerless to stop members of the fake church
from claiming "religious exemption" for vaccination. "I am alarmed that
a 'religion' would be created to thwart an important public health
initiative."
Opposition Leader John Robertson said he was horrified that the laws
contained such an obvious fault.
"This is a sham church that has clearly been set up by those who refuse
to vaccinate their children and seek an exemption from the law," Mr
Robertson said.
"This loophole has just given them the means to defy child vaccination
laws, and unfortunately no investigation will close this gaping hole."
The Daily Telegraph contacted Ms Dorey who said she had "no interest" in
answering our questions.
The state government adopted the new policy after a campaign by The
Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph that asked for unvaccinated
children to be banned from childcare centres.
The Healthcare Complaints Commission is investigating the AVN as a
result.
The aim of the campaign was to raise vaccination rates and protect
children from preventable diseases.
http://skep.li/12PU3oL
ALICIA WOOD THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MAY 30, 2013 12:00AM
CONTROVERSIAL anti-vaccination campaigner Meryl Dorey has been
encouraging parents to join "sham" churches to exploit a loophole in the
government's tough new vaccination policy.
Under new laws introduced on Tuesday, unvaccinated children are banned
from childcare centres unless their parents can prove immunisation was
against their religion or would cause a dangerous medical reaction.
Ms Dorey, who founded the Australian Vaccination Network, has urged her
followers on social media to join the "Church of Conscious Living" as a
way of avoiding the vaccination laws.
Health Minister Jillian Skinner was yesterday forced to answer questions
in parliament about the loophole in her new laws, but admitted her hands
were tied.
"The NSW government is not legally able to prevent people practising a
religion or following religious beliefs," Ms Skinner said.
The Church of Conscious Living was founded by Jane Leonforte and Adriano
Regano in Queensland in 2008, with the express purpose of creating a
front for vaccination exemptions. In a letter sent by the "church" to
their followers, Ms Leonforte and Mr Regano admit "we have decided to
create a 'religion', so, amongst other things, we can claim 'religious
exemption', if the need ever arises, for ourselves and our children."
It costs $25 to become a member of the "church", which believes the
"body is a sacred space" and preaches "the rejection of orthodox
vaccination, for both adults, children and animals".
Ms Skinner said she was powerless to stop members of the fake church
from claiming "religious exemption" for vaccination. "I am alarmed that
a 'religion' would be created to thwart an important public health
initiative."
Opposition Leader John Robertson said he was horrified that the laws
contained such an obvious fault.
"This is a sham church that has clearly been set up by those who refuse
to vaccinate their children and seek an exemption from the law," Mr
Robertson said.
"This loophole has just given them the means to defy child vaccination
laws, and unfortunately no investigation will close this gaping hole."
The Daily Telegraph contacted Ms Dorey who said she had "no interest" in
answering our questions.
The state government adopted the new policy after a campaign by The
Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph that asked for unvaccinated
children to be banned from childcare centres.
The Healthcare Complaints Commission is investigating the AVN as a
result.
The aim of the campaign was to raise vaccination rates and protect
children from preventable diseases.