RELIGIOUS exemptions for childhood vaccinations will be scrapped to toughen Australia’s new “no jab, no pay’’ laws stripping welfare from parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison revealed he is dumping the last remaining exemption on the books after holding talks with religious leaders.

Just a week after The Sunday Telegraph revealed Mr Morrison was scrapping exemptions for so-called conscientious objectors, he said that there will also be no registered religious exemptions in the future.

The welfare ban for vaccine refusers will cover the childcare rebate, the childcare benefit and the annual Family Tax Benefit A supplement and could be worth up to $15,000 for every child depending on family income.

All families are eligible for the $7500 childcare rebate based on the number of days of childcare used because it is not means tested.

Mr Morrison had refused to publicise the only religion with a registered exemption fearing vaccine refusers would ­exploit the loophole.

media_camera Welfare payments will be stripped off anyone who refuses to vaccinate their children.

The religious exemption was in place since the Howard Government years but now it will also be scrapped.

“We have had further discussions with the Church of Christ, Scientist and have formed the view that the registered exemption they have had in place is no longer current or necessary and therefore it will be ­removed,’’ he said.

“They are not advising anyone in their religion not to vaccinate people.

“Having spoken to them we no longer see that exemption as being current. As a result, there is no longer any religious exemption for vaccination. And there won’t be any religious exemptions for vaccinations.

“So the only exemption now is medical. We’re not accepting any further exemptions from any religious exemptions.

“It won’t be changing under us. That’s a policy decision that we will no longer be accepting any religious exemptions.

“The only reason that one was in place was because it was there. That’s no longer necessary and as a result I think that makes it all very simple now.

“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. People strongly support it and would welcome us going further, so we’re happy to do so.’’

Vaccine refusers have flocked to online forums to try to think of ways to dodge the tough new laws.

But according to the census, there are fewer than 1400 Australian ­citizens who have identified themselves as ­Christian Scientists.