Page 1509 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 27 September 1989
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the Bill on the basis of the civil liberties of those who are being medicated against their will.
MRS GRASSBY (Minister for Housing and Urban Services) (11.58): Mr Speaker, I rise to quickly brief the Assembly on the sources of the treatment of the ACT water as it comes under me.
A member: Under you?
MRS GRASSBY: Under me - yes, I had not thought about that - that is very good!
Mr Wood: Are you still floating; that is the main question?
MRS GRASSBY: I tell you what, if we soon do not get out of here, I will be. The ACT receives its water from two rivers, namely, the Cotter and the Queanbeyan rivers. For most of the year the Cotter River system is used exclusively. This water is of very high quality and requires very little treatment. Small quantities of lime are added to correct the potential acidity problems. The water is chlorinated and fluoridated at the rate of one part per million. There is a low residual level of chlorine left in the water after treatment to prevent algal growth both in the supply network and within the household piping systems. It is interesting to note that other systems to treat the water at the source do not prevent algal growth after the water leaves the treatment system.
Water from the Queanbeyan River is used only during high demand periods of summer. This water undergoes full secondary treatment, as occurs in most major cities in Australia. Aluminium sulphate is added during the treatment to settle particles from the water. This chemical is virtually completely removed prior to chlorination, lime correction and fluoridation.
All residual levels of chlorine, calcium and aluminium are constantly monitored to ensure compliance with the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines. ACT water fully complies with the World Health Organisation and National Health and Medical Research Council requirements for water quality.
I believe that members of the Assembly should have freedom of choice, as should the voters. That is why I support the Government's motion to refer this matter to the appropriate policy committee for detailed consideration so that we can all make a decision. I have no real feeling about it. I do not know. I would like to speak to a lot of people on this; I would like to know what it is all about. I have read one book on it and I have spoken to one person. I have heard other people say it is bad for the health, but I would like the choice. I would like to see both sides of the picture so that I can make up my own mind about the issue.
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