Government called on to ban Kent Heckenlively from visiting Australia

THE government has been called on to stop the self-prescribed ‘world’s number 1 anti-vaxxer’ Kent Heckenlively from visiting Australia later this year.

EXCLUSIVE

The government has been called on to stop the self-prescribed “world’s number 1 anti-vaxxer” Kent Heckenlively from visiting Australia later this year.

Labor wrote to immigration minister Peter Dutton on Monday demanding a travel ban on Mr Heckenlively after it was revealed his department had the anti-vaxxer under watch.

Mr Heckenlively is planning a lecture tour of Australia in December to spread his dangerous and incorrect message that vaccines are bad.

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Anti Vaxxer Kent Heckenlively.

As part of his “Dangerous Science” tour he will call for a five-year moratorium on childhood vaccinations.

But Labor’s Health spokeswoman Catherine King said the threat of Mr Heckenlively’s visit should be taken seriously and he should be rejected entry to Australia under the character test in section 501 of the Migration Act.

“Labor is alarmed that Mr Heckenlively may be allowed to promote this dangerous nonsense in Australia,” Ms King said in the letter obtained exclusively by News Corp Australia.

“While our immunisation program has historically been effective, there is growing evidence that anti-vaccination advocates and their political allies like Pauline Hanson are now undermining our success — as shown by the doubling of measles cases between 2013 and 2014.

“I write to urge you to deny entry to Australia to the dangerous anti-vaccination zealot Kent Heckenlively.”

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said he could not comment on Mr Heckenlively’s case “due to privacy legislation”.

Labor’s Heath spokeswoman Catherine King wants Mr Heckenlively banned from Australia.

“Individuals travelling to Australia need to be aware of their visa conditions and ensure they meet all requirements to legally stay in Australia,” Mr Dutton said.

“In cases where the presence of a person is assessed to be a risk to the health, safety or good order of the Australian community or a segment of the Australian community, there may be grounds to consider cancellation or refusal of the person’s visa.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt said it was in Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s hands to decide whether or not to deny Mr Heckenlively entry to the country.

“I flatly condemn the anti-vaccination message. It’s based on unscientific conspiracy theories,” Mr Hunt told News Corp.

It will be up to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to decide whether or not to deny Mr Heckenlively entry to Australia. Picture Kym Smith

“The health of Aussie kids is far too important to let myths and falsehoods from anti-vaxxers go unaddressed.”

He said the decision to deny anti-vaxxers access to the country in the past was the right one.

Immigration officials slapped British campaigner Polly Tommey and US campaigner Suzanne Humphreys with three-year bans on entering the country last month, after the pair toured Australia with a film that alleges there was a link between the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and autism.

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