Page 1839 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 18 October 1989
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There was not one doctor in Australia, not one dentist in Australia, not one scientist in Australia who was prepared to debate the pro-fluoridation side - not one. It is an interesting question as to why were they not prepared to be there in Australia's senior scientific debate. Gary Humphries mentioned that if we take fluoride out of the water it means that it is harmful. Well, Gary, we have already taken it out; we know it is harmful. All we are talking about is the possibility of putting it back in.
I suggest that it is not sound legal advice that just because we take it out it means it is harmful. What it can mean is that it might be harmful. We have already proven that because we are having an inquiry to look at whether or not it is harmful. That would be, I suggest, the sound legal debate. If that is not correct, tell me; you have had legal training. I have had training in commonsense.
A member: Where did you have it?
MR STEVENSON: I will let you know after, quietly, so other people do not find out that you want to go. When Mr Prowse said that my paper had been published, Mr Kaine said, "Perhaps nobody's read it". I ask the question, Trevor: have you read it?
Mr Humphries: I have.
MR STEVENSON: Thank you, but I wonder whether Trevor has. I was told by the national advertising manager of the magazine Simply Living, Mr Rhodes, that in the many years of publication of that magazine that article received more requests for reprint than any other article it has printed - an interesting comment.
So I ask for the time that the Labor Party members have suggested we did not allow - some time for the public to have a look at the issue. Allow me to debate the president of the Australian Medical Association. Come along, listen in and see the truth presented. He can present what he considers is the valid argument, and I will present what my research has shown.
Before, I was putting my article into Hansard, and I now continue. This is the article that Mr Kaine wondered whether anybody had read. In case you have not, I continue:
Also in 1953 fluoridation began in Australia in Tasmania -
Mr Kaine: On a point of order, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker - - -
MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Kaine. I was about to do that. Mr Stevenson, will you resume your seat, please.
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