Page 573 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
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It is absolutely essential that there be full and proper debate on this matter. I believe that we made a fundamental mistake in 1989 in not allowing that debate to occur. We must not repeat that mistake in any way by rushing or giving inadequate time to consider the issues raised by this report and the Government response to that report.
As a Government we have given an undertaking to the ACT population that fluoride would not be removed from the water supply without full consideration of the available facts and implications. I might remind the Assembly that this is not just about giving the Assembly time to debate and to consider these issues; it is also about allowing time for the public of Canberra to consider these issues.
The standing committee report - both the majority report and the dissenting report - deserves full consideration. For that reason this extension of time has been sought. I commend this amendment to the house. I do not think that any of the matters that Mr Stevenson has raised really touch on whether we pass this Bill or not. Indeed, I seem to recall that Mr Stevenson originally accepted that there should have been an extension to the time that we had allowed for this debate anyway. If that is the case, I think you could only agree that the status quo should continue while we debate this matter - obviously, with all due speed - and that we should allow the retention of fluoride while that is occurring.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail Stage
Clause 1 agreed to.
Clause 2 agreed to.
Clause 3
MR STEVENSON (12.15): I move:
Page 1, line 11, omit "31 August", substitute "30 April".
Mr Humphries suggests that I can move to have the matter brought on next week if I can gain the numbers. There are two points there: Firstly, I do not want it brought on next week; and, secondly, as far as getting the numbers is concerned, the numbers reside within the Alliance. Is Mr Humphries prepared to state that, if I move to bring the matter on within two months, he will make sure that that is agreed to? The answer to that - as he shakes his head - is obviously that he will not.
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