Page 1627 - Week 08 - Thursday, 28 September 1989
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The Assembly voted -
AYES, 6 NOES, 10
Mr Berry Mr Collaery
Ms Follett Mr Duby
Mrs Grassby Mr Jensen
Mr Humphries Dr Kinloch
Mr Whalan Ms Maher
Mr Wood Mr Moore
Mrs Nolan
Mr Prowse
Mr Stefaniak
Mr Stevenson
Question resolved in the negative.
DR KINLOCH (1.00): Mr Speaker, we are now back on the motion. I want to say only a few brief things, especially if there is any danger that I have not made myself clear. In answer to Mr Wood's interesting point, the Social Committee did not vote four to one. Five individuals voted to remove fluoride from the water. On the question of scientific neutrality, I well appreciate from my experiences during the last 140 days that five minutes is a long time in politics. Twenty-five years is a long time in scientific inquiry. The evidence of 25 or 30 years ago is not the evidence of today. I wish to urge that - - -
Mr Whalan: Why do you not give us an opportunity to see the evidence before you make your decision?
DR KINLOCH: That is exactly what I am now moving. Therefore, in terms of scientific neutrality, we must have a situation in which what it is we are debating is not then part of the process. What I voted against yesterday was having fluoride in the water while we debated whether fluoride should be in the water. Do I make myself clear? Is it not clear that, once we are on the level playing field, we can debate this issue? In answer to Senator Reid, I very much respect her question: where is the proof that it is harmful? That is exactly what this committee will go about trying to find out.
Finally, Mr Speaker, on the question of changing of minds, there are those here who know that we have already debated this matter very considerably and minds have shifted and changed on this matter. I wish again to assure the house that when there is an issue before a select committee or a standing committee, where that evidence leads to certain conclusions, those conclusions must be heard and I will try to do that.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Sitting suspended from 1.02 to 2.30 pm.
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