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OFFICIAL STATEMENT

“NO JAB NO PAY/PLAY” LEGISLATION

April 2, 2016

HAP understands that the overwhelming majority of the huge amount of submissions both Federally, and in Victoria, were against this legislation, and that many of these came from well-respected legal, healthcare, and social justice organisations.

HAP echoes their views and opposes this legislation. It is predicated upon several demonstrably false assumptions, and flies in the face of what would be considered best practice in almost any other Western nation except the USA. It is especially disturbing that the Victorian State Health Minister appears to be in a state of denial over the issue of severe adverse reactions – something which is accepted by the World Health Organisation, whilst the Premier of WA Colin Barnett has stated that he did not support banning children from school or day care because the parents did not vaccinate them, saying it was not ‘proper’.

Furthermore HAP echoes the call by the WA based Health Consumers’ Council for a number of vital reforms to policy surrounding pharmaceuticals. There is urgent need for a review of the independence of regulation. Monitoring and reportage of adverse reactions is completely inadequate. There is a lack of transparency around the dealings of pharmaceutical companies which appear to be largely exempt from Freedom of Information requests, and inadequate visibility of possible conflict of interest situations. Policy makers require far greater insulation from vested interests, lobbyists, and their media allies. The selective and biased nature of some media activity is also a major concern, and needs to be addressed.

The health of the Australian people is vitally important and policy should reflect the very best in independent research, and with respect to established medical ethics such as the notion of ‘informed consent’.