Queensland's government is planning new child vaccination laws, but the opposition wants evidence they will increase vaccination rates.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is planning for opt-in laws allowing childcare centres to ban unvaccinated children from their premises.
Ms Palaszczuk doesn't want a blanket ban, but wants to ensure all children are inoculated.
"My preference would be that all of the children in childcare centres are vaccinated, let's talk to the stakeholders and see if we can make that a reality," Ms Palaszczuk said.
But Deputy Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek wants to see the results of a trial of vaccination bans currently underway in NSW.
"I'd like to see the proof that it's led to increased immunisation rates, which will automatically mean children are safer in those situations," Mr Langbroek said.
He said it was important to ensure sure any laws did not hurt young children who may be affected by the choices about vaccinations their parents had made.
"That's why it's important to look at all the data about whether it increases immunisation rates and then those children aren't going to miss out on an education (unnecessarily)," Mr Langbroek said.
He said Labor proposed an opt-in ban while in opposition, but the Liberal National Party reject it because it was poorly researched and not evidence-based.
The reforms have been welcomed by the childcare workers' union United Voice.
Rebecca Swainson from the Children @ Bay Terrace childcare centre in Wynnum said new laws would allow childcare professionals to ensure children and staff at centres are protected from preventable diseases.
"There's been a lot of public debate about immunisation but we cannot argue with science," Ms Swainson said.
"Vaccinations are a tried and tested public health initiative used across the world and save lives."
Share
