Russell Broadbent here, Member for Monash.
Since speaking out against the unjust and unconscionable ‘No Jab, No Pay’ legislation, I’ve received thousands of emails from distressed Australian parents who’ve been unfairly impacted - and harmed, by this policy.
Parents who’ve been unable to work because they’re prevented from accessing childcare, for instance.
Parents coerced to vaccinate their children simply to survive financially.
And most heartbreaking of all - parents whose children have been injured by vaccines but are still unable to access help and support because their vaccination status is deemed to be ‘not up to date’.
The injustice of this situation has distressed and enraged me.
When the Government creates policies which harm people, it’s our responsibility as elected members - our duty of care - our moral obligation - to stop this harm!
To this end, I’ve drafted a Private Members Bill which I will introduce into Australia’s Federal Parliament in November. It calls for the restoration of conscientious objector rights in this country.
It will ensure the immediate restoration of a person’s right to say ‘no’ and will mean that every Australian has the right to refuse any medical treatment or health measure without penalty – be it financial, educational, social or otherwise.
When Australians are crying out about an issue we must heed the call.
My responsibility is to the Australian people - to protect their freedoms and to protect them from harmful policies.
The Restoration of Conscientious Objector Rights Bill will play a significant role in doing just that.
And that’s justice as I see it.
