Page 2820 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 August 1991
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MR BERRY (Minister for Health and Minister for Sport) (4.24): This is a memorable occasion as well. It is the first time we have had a female in the Speaker's chair, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, and I think you are to be congratulated.
I am a little concerned that there has been some more innuendo about the Government's position in relation to this amendment. As Mr Jensen has said, it is true that I contacted him during the day and asked him what they were doing. As I think I said last night, getting it out of him was a bit like pulling teeth. There was a bit of a cough and bluster and I was told that they would support - - -
Mr Kaine: Were they good teeth?
MR BERRY: Not as bad as they will be later on, if they go ahead with this. So, yes, it is true; I found out that they were going to go for the 0.5 of a milligram amendment in due course. It is also true that I was aware of a difficulty with the dosing equipment, although I was not aware of the detail. It became an issue later on in the day when the amendment, which was proposed to be moved by Dr Kinloch, turned up. I received a formal note from ACTEW at about 6.57 yesterday evening, which set out the matters which I raised in the Assembly later on that evening.
It was the hope of the Government that members would listen to debate and support moves to ensure that we kept the fluoride level at one part per million. As it turned out, of course, after long debate, Opposition members did not support that view and we were faced with an amendment. Immediately that amendment was moved and became formally part of these proceedings, I made sure that members were aware of the difficulties with it.
I said last night that I was concerned about the lack of consultation on the issue. There was never a proposition put to the Government with any reasonable notice that we might look at the issue and give a position in relation to it. I think the Government has acted responsibly in chasing up relevant information in relation to the matter to ensure that an amendment that went before this place would be an amendment that would result in a sensible law. Quite clearly, what has been proposed by Dr Kinloch will not result in a sensible law, according to the advice that I have.
The Speaker, I understand, took the unusual step of going direct to ACTEW today to talk about this issue, particularly in respect of the tolerance matter which he raised last night. ACTEW quite rightly briefed their Minister and I was given a copy of that. I can assure members that there are still some difficulties with the equipment that is currently in use.
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