EXCERPTS
Victoria is set to introduce 'no jab, no play' legislation to ban unvaccinated children from attending childcare centres.
The policy was successfully introduced in New South Wales in 2014 and Victoria's participation signals a progression in the nationwide effort to crack down on parents that reject vaccination.
The state government have begun preparations and the legislation could potentially be finalised by as soon as early 2016, according to Health Minister Jill Hennessy.
The government is passionate about these laws, with Ms Hennessy taking the tough stance in the hope parents understand that failing to vaccinate a child is 'unsafe' for both the child and any children they come in contact with, according to The Australian.
According to the laws, preschools and day care centres have the right to prohibit children from attending if they have not been vaccinated.
Parents who are conscientious objectors can only enrol their child if they have permission from a medical practitioner, who has given the parents counselling and made the parents aware of the inherent risk of failing to vaccinate their child.
Children who are proven to be unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons are also exempt from the 'no jab, no play' laws.
It has also been announced that whooping cough vaccines will be made free to all Victorian expectant parents once again, the state government says.