AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday announced a “no jab, no pay” policy to deny government benefits to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.

He said it would “keep our children and our families as safe as possible.”

Under current law, parents who have “conscientious objections” to immunisation can still claim childcare and welfare payments.

But the proposed new measure would deny refusenik parents the payments, which include childcare rebates, benefits and family tax benefit supplements.

This could mean them losing 15,000 Australian dollars (£7,800) per child annually.

The measure has to be passed by MPs but is backed by the Labour opposition. It is set to come into force early next year.