A former National Party deputy leader has called for a mother of three kids, one as young as six years old, to "grow up" after she took them to court to try and stop them from getting vaccinated on health and religious grounds.
According to NZ Herald, a recently released Family Court judgement explains how two parents, who have been separated for three years, disagreed about whether their three children, who are aged 6,8 and 10, should receive the full schedule of vaccinations.
The father sought a court order to try and get his children vaccinated while the mother argued they had agreed when they were married to take a "natural" approach.
The judgement showed that the mother said her first child had a range of health issues including what she claimed were symptoms of autism. There are many commonly repeated myths about autism being linked to vaccines.
The mother also said vaccinations are contrary to her religious beliefs based on what the Bible says.
Former National Party deputy leader Paula Bennett was asked about this case when she appeared on AM's panel on Wednesday morning.
"How on earth are they dragging their kids through the courts? How are they having three little kids having to explain what they think that mom and dad who are fighting? Then when you read this story, it's been three years of separation," she said.
"Grow up, be adults, raise your children. If you can't actually be together, that's life but they have a role that they brought three people into this world and they should be putting them first and dragging them through court. I don't think it's doing that."
Watch the full moment above.
