Page 1826 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 18 October 1989
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that objectivity is difficult to attain. For three weeks I have said nothing and I do not intend to. The issue was quite correctly and accurately raised in the Canberra Times today when a report said:
Labor MLA Bill Wood (who voted to retain fluoride) has expressed concerns about the likelihood of an objective inquiry.
I certainly did say that but I said it three weeks ago.
Mr Prowse: Shame!
MR WOOD: Mr Prowse, you say "Shame", but you were nevertheless quite anxious to join our committee for the time of that deliberation, so let us be objective about this. That report in the Canberra Times is quite accurate but it was a statement of mine three weeks ago. Based on that report, today I was contacted by Pru Goward and asked to appear on her program to discuss the objectivity of the committee. I went there and I set out to be very circumspect and to be most careful in all that I said. I have read the transcript, and indeed I was careful.
I am quite satisfied with what I said. It was not in any way reflecting on my committee members and it was not in any way commenting on our ability to be objective, other than to say that it is hard to be objective and it is more difficult when we are passionately interested in some things. So I have no worry at all with what I said today. Let us hope that the committee can be objective.
Our committee has two challenges: firstly, to examine a very difficult and complex issue and, secondly, to do so thoroughly and honestly and objectively. I believe that the committee can do that, and do it in such a way that we will have as much confidence in the report that we will ultimately bring down as we have in the report on the ageing that we will table tomorrow.
MR PROWSE (3.45): It has been disheartening to see that members of the Government departed during this debate. This is supposed to be one of the most thrilling debates we have had. The reason is that it is very urgent and we still have the Deputy Chief Minister missing. If it is so urgent and of such public importance, why are other things more pressing?
I come back to the situation with Mr Kaine. Labor Party members are hysterical in their applause for what you are doing. May I suggest that this action by your party may even cost a Liberal Federal seat because you are going to please no-one. You started off by taking the position that you are fair-minded and you allowed a conscience vote. Because a little bit of heat was turned on you, you have now backed away, and that is unfortunate because we are talking about confidence motions. Who in their right mind would look at this leadership that you are presenting with
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