Page 1557 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 27 September 1989
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individuals in the community, from organisations that have particular views like expert medical organisations and expert dental organisations and then, if necessary, to engage assistance in the assessment of the evidence that it has before it.
But it is totally inappropriate. None of those processes are possible when we push through legislation of this sort. When you push through legislation of this sort there is no opportunity for learned organisations to make their contributions, and there is no opportunity for academics like Dr Kinloch to make worthy contributions to the examination. There is no opportunity for the reconciliation of different views on a highly controversial and highly divisive issue. It is for that reason that Mr Berry, as the Minister responsible for this area, has quite rightly advised the Assembly by way of his motion to have this matter referred to the committee so that it can be considered in a way which is calm and objective and in a way in which everybody in the community who has an interest has the opportunity of being consulted. It is only when that process has been passed through that we should be considering the proposal in the legislation which we have before us.
MR HUMPHRIES (4.16): Mr Deputy Speaker, I put some arguments this morning as to why the Liberal Party would not support a motion of this kind - to refer this matter to a standing committee - and since this morning nothing has changed.
MR COLLAERY (4.17): Mr Deputy Speaker, I will make just a few remarks. The Rally did not intend responding to this tirade but, in the event that anyone takes notice of it, I wish to give a conclusive answer to the Deputy Chief Minister's statements. Firstly, Mr Deputy Speaker, he states that this has been bulldozed through and put on without adequate notice. From the Rally's point of view, it was in its policy statements, issued and widely circulated at considerable cost to the community funding base of the Rally before the election. That policy said, and I will read it:
The Residents Rally will remove fluoride from the water supply and make free fluoride available from community health centres with the appropriate advice on who ought to be taking fluoride. This action will allow freedom of choice in the community.
Now, Mr Deputy Speaker, there is an answer to the bulldozing effort.
Secondly, this Bill has been around for a month. It has been well and widely known what the mover of this Bill's interests were, and widely foreshadowed that this Bill would come before the house. With the exclusion of Mr Wood, none of the Labor Party speakers to this motion have
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