Page 1775 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 18 October 1989
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Mr Stevenson: And the population.
MS FOLLETT: Both they and the Canberra community, as Mr Stevenson says, have seen that the decisions taken here in this Assembly have a real and immediate effect on the lives of people in the Canberra community, and I believe that we all ought to remember that it is best to consider very carefully the implications of our actions in this Assembly and to listen when other members try to offer reasoned advice.
I believe it is hard to forget the indecent haste with which the original fluoride Bill was passed. On two occasions on that day we witnessed the name-calling and the abuse of Government members who attempted to point out the need for a calm and considered approach to the scientific evidence about fluoride. The so-called evidence which was presented to Assembly members prior to our last debate was one-sided, to say the least, and I am sure that all members would agree that there is more to that story than many members here are prepared to admit.
Mr Stevenson: Highlight some points.
MS FOLLETT: The National Health and Medical Research Council, which is Australia's foremost authority on health matters has consistently advocated the addition of fluoride to community water supplies to protect the community from high levels of dental caries. The NHMRC has said that it will re-examine the evidence which was apparently brought forward by opponents of fluoridation. Any reasonable person would have waited for the council's report before making a decision which affected the health of two cities.
Just to conclude, I would like to make a comment about the objectivity of the Social Policy Committee and the objectivity that will be required of that committee in considering the evidence and particularly the opinions of medical authorities on the issue of fluoridation. I have absolutely total confidence in the ability of the chairman of that committee, Mr Bill Wood, to maintain his objectivity throughout that consideration. I believe that Mr Wood is amongst the hardest working, most dedicated and most fair-minded members of this Assembly. I have total confidence that he will bring to the deliberations of that committee his usual reasoned, calm and objective approach to matters.
I believe that it is up to all of the members of that committee to adopt a similar approach and to put aside their personal views on this issue, to put aside their personal biases and to listen and attend to the evidence that is presented. I think only in that way can we get from the committee in due course a report which does truly reflect the scientific and medical evidence and the community's opinion on this matter. As I say, I am grateful that it is Mr Wood who is chairing that committee
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