COMMUNITY MUST BE CONSULTED ON FLUORIDE

The community should have an opportunity to have its say on the fluoride issue, perhaps through a survey form sent out with water accounts, according to Gippsland MP Peter Hall.

"The State Government's decision to impose fluoride on the local community has clearly made many people angry - you only have to see the letters pages of the local papers recently to see that," Mr Hall said.

He suggested one such mechanism might be to include a survey form in the next lot of accounts from local water authorities.

"There needs to be immediate action taken to ensure appropriate community consultation and provision of information about fluoridation and what it means."

Mr Hall said a recent survey by a local lobby group had shown that many people had concerns about fluoridation of water supplies. "That group also pointed out that the Minister for Health is on record as saying, in the Budget submission papers, that fluoridation would be extended to rural communities which supported the move.

"The key phrase here is 'supported the move.' Where is the evidence that our local communities support the move? The evidence to date is very much to the contrary, which is why people need to have the opportunity to have a real say."

Mr Hall added there was evidence that water fluoridation provided benefits.

"However, there are other views, which strongly oppose the addition of fluoride to domestic water supplies, and question its safety and effectiveness.

"Before fluoridation is put into our water, all views must be taken into account through an extensive public consultation process," he said. "I'm calling on the Government to do just that."

Media contact: Peter Hall's office (03) 5174 7066