Is anyone keeping the bastards honest anymore?

Similar versions of the following story have been reported by the sycophantic, unquestioning Australian media over the last 2 days. Please read the report and then, read my comments following. This is very important information so any help you can give in publicising it would really be appreciated!

Immunisation History Should Be Checked (January 17, 2010)

Parents are urged to check their child's immunisation history online ahead of the new school year, says Minister for Human Services Chris Bowen.

Medicare Australia Online Services allows parents to download their child's immunisation history from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.

"It's important to get your child's immunisation history statement now, as many primary schools and some preschools require proof of immunisation prior to enrolment," Mr Bowen said in a statement on Sunday.

Parents also need to ensure their child is up to date with immunisation for the Child Care Benefit and the Maternity Immunisation Allowance family assistance payments.

More than 380,000 immunisation statements have been viewed by parents using Medicare Australia Online Services.

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Government ministers, just like all other public servants, have an obligation to tell the truth when they are speaking in their official role. This article, which states it is from Minister Chris Bowen, Minister for Human Services, is completely wrong (and that is putting it nicely.)

The AVN was involved in drafting the legislation which preserved the right for all parents to receive their financial entitlements whether they vaccinate or not. Parents do NOT need to 'ensure their child is up to date with immunisation'. If they want to get the Child Care Benefit and the Maternity Immunisation Allowance, all they need to do is register as a Conscientious Objector.

As for the other part of the article, the one that states, "It's important to get your child's immunisation history statement now, as many primary schools and some preschools require proof of immunisation prior to enrolment,", this is also completely wrong. Firstly, rules governing what information is required prior to entry into school or preschool is under State - not Federal jurisdiction. And every single State in Australia states (with different words - but with the same meaning) that it is illegal for a school to discriminate against a child as a result of their vaccination status.

Every Australian State has requirements for parents to produce a certificate of vaccination status, showing what vaccines if any their child has received. But whether they are fully vaccinated, completely unvaccinated or somewhere in between, they cannot be denied a place in school, preschool, childcare, daycare or playgroup. It is illegal. In every State. And Minister Bowen should have known this. Just as he should have known that you do NOT need to vaccinate to receive any government financial entitlements.

Today, I called and spoke with Chris Bowen's Media Liaison Officer - a woman who seemed to epitomise what it means to be a bureaucrat.

When I informed her of what I was calling about, she asked me what the problem was with the wording of Mr Bowen's statement. I told her that vaccination was not compulsory for schooling. She then tried to tell me that I had interpreted the words incorrectly. That when it says that, "many primary schools and some preschools require proof of immunisation prior to enrolment", that wasn't intended to convey that it was actually a requirement. Hmmmm. I know that I'm American, but I think that my command of English is good enough to know that required means 'you have to'.

I asked her how she interpreted this phrase and she refused to answer me.

I then told her that the information about the Childcare Payments was also incorrect and she insisted that it was right because it had been provided to them by Medicare.

Well, excuse me, but both Medicare and Centrelink have a long and checkered history of omitting the fact that you can still get your government payments even if you do not vaccinate and we have the Ombudsman complaints to prove it. In fact, we have letters from the Commonwealth Ombudsman dating back to 1998 saying basically, "[Medicare] [Centrelink] (fill in appropriate name) are very sorry that they gave Australian parents the incorrect information about their rights when it comes to vaccination. They promise not to do this again.

The Media Liaison stated that she would contact Medicare to clarify this issue (I gave her the name of the legislation and the year it was passed) but she could not promise when she would do this or that she would get back to me when she has an answer.

There you go! That's a responsive government official for you!

Of course, we are currently filing yet another complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsman (against Medicare for continuing to provide this incorrect information) and also with the Special Minister of State regarding the incorrect information given out by the Minister.

But why is it that the government can continue to issue incorrect statements? Why is it that our tax dollars continue to be used to produce information that is just plain wrong. And where are the investigative journalists who will actually ask the right questions when statements like this are made rather than kow-towing to the government and the medical community on any drug or vaccine related issues?

Lastly, is this statement related to the up-coming legislation being debated in Federal Parliament this February which seeks to quarantine and withhold Family Allowance payments from parents who choose not to vaccinate their children, calling that neglectful parenting?

If you are also concerned about this misinformation, please write to Minister Chris Bowen and let him know how you feel.

His details are below and if you can send a copy of your letter to me at meryl@avn.org.au, that would be very much appreciated.

Electorate Office 115 The Crescent Fairfield NSW 2165 AustraliaOffice hours: 9am-4:30pm

PO Box 802 Fairfield NSW 1860 Australia

Telephone: 02 9726 4100

Facsimile: 02 9724 6115

Email: chris.bowen.mp@aph.gov.au

Parliament House M1/24 Canberra ACT 2600 Australia

Telephone: (02) 6277 7200

Facsimile: (02) 6273 4406