article_snippet.sent: (CNN)Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children can lose up to $11,000 of welfare benefits a year under a new government policy, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced.
article_snippet.sent: Currently parents can choose to opt out of vaccinations for medical or religious reasons, or by stating parents are "conscientious objectors," and still receive taxpayer funded child care benefits.
article_snippet.sent: The choice made by families not to immunize families children is not supported by public policy or medical research nor should such action be supported by taxpayers in the form of child care payments," said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a joint statement with Social Services Minister, Scott Morrison.
article_snippet.sent: Thousands of families could lose out on welfare payments, with The Australian government estimating more than 39,000 children under the age of seven have not been vaccinated because of Thousands of families parents' objections.
article_snippet.sent: The number of children in Australia who have not received immunization against measles and other diseases has almost doubled in the past decade, according to The Australian government.
article_snippet.sent: Anti-vaccination campaigns have recently gained traction in Western countries.
article_snippet.sent: Some parents believe the shots cause autism, but the theory has been widely discredited.
highlights_snippet.sent: Australia to cut welfare benefits for parents who refuse to vaccinate parents who refuse to vaccinate their children children .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: The Australian government estimates more than 39,000 children who have not been vaccinated .