Page 1794 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 18 October 1989
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a claim by any ACT resident for fluorosis. I wonder whether the Minister for Health is prepared to give us some advice today on the topic".
Basically, what I think the leader of the Residents Rally was up to was introducing a little bit more emotion into the debate. It was in line with particular performances of the Rally in the past where they have demonstrated a certain affinity for those sorts of innuendos. It may have been seen that that emotion might have assisted them in their support of the removal of fluoride, but it was an aside and it was not based on any fact.
In my preliminary investigation of the matter, I might tell Mr Collaery, there have not been - and I can see that he is not surprised - any claims for compensation. I am sure that the committee members when they are inquiring into the matter will examine any claims which are alleged to have been made. They might also examine any claims about the effect of high temperatures on children's teeth and how that might be confused with the effect of fluoride. They might also examine how the effect of certain antibiotics may be confused with the effect of fluoride on teeth.
Mr Prowse: There are 95 reasons if you list them all.
MR BERRY: Well, what I am prepared to do, Mr Prowse,
is to sit down and listen to all of the disclosures and not bully issues through this Assembly. I want to hear both sides of the argument and I would hope that the media reports both sides of the argument.
Members interjected.
Mr Kaine: Would you calm them down, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker?
MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I ask members to maintain some decorum during the proceedings when the Minister is speaking.
MR BERRY: One of the issues that was raised in the course of the debate was the comparison of dental caries between Brisbane people and people in other cities in Australia. Had the Assembly been prepared at that stage to stop, listen and take a bit of time to think about the matter, I think that we would have found that the oft-quoted statement, that Brisbane children drinking unfluoridated water have no more caries than children in Canberra, is untrue.
Mr Prowse: Careful.
MR BERRY: I have been careful all along, Mr Prowse, to make sure that I put the very clear view to you that this matter ought to go to an unbiased committee where all the issues should be disclosed.
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