The self-proclaimed "world's number one anti-vaxxer" has been denied permission to visit Australia.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said on Thursday Kent Heckenlively would not be able to tour Australia later this year as part of an international campaign calling for a pause in childhood vaccinations.
More National News Videos
- Video duration
- 00:46
Why this man can't come to Australia
Why this man can't come to Australia
The government has denied Kent Hickenlively a visa because of his controversial views.
Up Next
New hope for family of SMA patient
- Video duration
- 03:49
- Video duration
- 03:49
New hope for family of SMA patient
New hope for family of SMA patient
One-year-old Aviana McElwee suffers from a rare terminal disease, but an innovative drug has given her a new lease on life.
Up Next
Senator Derryn Hinch cleared over citizenship question
- Video duration
- 00:31
- Video duration
- 00:31
Senator Derryn Hinch cleared over ...
Senator Derryn Hinch cleared over citizenship question
Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch will not be referred to the High Court after advice from constitutional lawyers confirmed he was validly elected.
Up Next
Brisbane drug boss in fire attack
- Video duration
- 00:30
- Video duration
- 00:30
Brisbane drug boss in fire attack
Brisbane drug boss in fire attack
Underworld figure Victor William Graveson is critically injured in a Brisbane hospital after suffering burns to 80% of his body in an arson attack.
Up Next
Fairfax's dads talk fatherhood
- Video duration
- 03:02
- Video duration
- 03:02
Fairfax's dads talk fatherhood
Fairfax's dads talk fatherhood
In preparation for Father's Day, a few dads in the Fairfax office sat down to ruminate on what fatherhood meant to them, and how it's impacted their lives.
Up Next
Australian assistance for Marawi
- Video duration
- 01:36
- Video duration
- 01:36
Australian assistance for Marawi
Australian assistance for Marawi
As the battle against ISIS in Marawi continues, Australia has offered assistance to the Philippines military which has been accepted.
Up Next
It's an act of love: Turnbull
- Video duration
- 01:39
- Video duration
- 01:39
It's an act of love: Turnbull
It's an act of love: Turnbull
The PM and Human Services minister reveal the results of a trial into the cashless welfare card, that prevents those on welfare spending money on alcohol or gambling.
Up Next
Government ultimatum prompts protests
- Video duration
- 01:20
- Video duration
- 01:20
Government ultimatum prompts protests
Government ultimatum prompts protests
As pressure rises ahead of the closure of Australian operations on Manus Island, protesters have addressed the government's threats towards asylum seekers.
Why this man can't come to Australia
The government has denied Kent Hickenlively a visa because of his controversial views.
"We're not going to allow him to come here," Mr Dutton told Sydney radio station 2GB.
"These people who are telling parents that their kids shouldn't be vaccinated are dangerous. We have been very careful in having a look right through this particular case and it's clear to me that it's not in our national interest that he should come here."
Mr Heckenlively, who lives in northern California, contributes to a website that claims autism is "an environmentally induced illness, that it is treatable, and that children can recover".
He also has links to Andrew Wakefield, the disgraced former doctor whose debunked study was central to the anti-vaccination movement and has since gone on to make the film Vaxxed.
The film has been banned by several film festivals but has been shown in secret locations around Australia.
Immigration officials recently banned British campaigner Polly Tommey and US campaigner Suzanne Humphries from entering the country for three years after the pair toured Australia with Vaxxed, which alleges there is a link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and autism.
The opposition had written to Mr Dutton requesting Mr Heckenlively's application for a visa be denied.
"Dangerous misinformation peddled by anti-vaccination proponents should never take the place of proven, scientific advice, and we have a responsibility to make sure parents are getting the right messages," the opposition's health spokeswoman, Catherine King, said on Thursday.
"The fight against vaccination misinformation is continuous - earlier this month, we saw two anti-vaccination advocates tour the country and show a film that wrongly claims a link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and autism. While our immunisation program has historically been effective, there is growing evidence that anti-vaccination advocates and their political allies like Pauline Hanson and One Nation are now undermining our success - as shown by the doubling of measles cases between 2013 and 2014."
Follow Stephanie Peatling on Facebook
190 comments
Comment are now closed