Aussie politicians push for 'no jab, no play' policy

Victoria's Health Minister, Jill Hennessy, says public health is a priority. Photo / George Novak

Parents who don't believe in vaccinating their children will no longer be able to take them to childcare or kindergarten in Victoria under proposed reforms.

The state government is introducing legislation that will require children to be fully vaccinated before such attendance is allowed.

The proposed law also closes a loophole that makes an exemption for parents who choose not to vaccinate their children on the grounds they are conscientious objectors.

Children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will remain exempt.

"What we don't accept is those who go around myth-making about the risks of vaccination," Health Minister Jill Hennessy said on Sunday.

"The public health and well-being of the broader community has to take precedence against the anti-vaccination movement."

Children not vaccinated against illnesses such as measles and whooping cough put other children and the greater community at risk, health experts say.

Despite a vaccination rate of 92 per cent for whooping cough in Victoria, the number of reported cases has increased by more than 1000 since the previous year.

"Ultimately it is a parents call in terms of how they respond, but we cannot continue to see the alarming rise in diseases like whooping cough and measles, and not respond," Ms Hennessy said.

She is confident the "no jab, no play" policy will provide an incentive for parents to make sure their children are vaccinated.

- AAP