Page 3884 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 23 October 1990
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MR DUBY: As I said, it is patently obvious that he is not present at this time; so on his behalf I will undertake to have an answer supplied to that question.
Green Potatoes
MR STEVENSON: My question is to Gary Humphries as Minister for Health, and it concerns the availability of unhealthy food in Canberra. As it is well known that green potatoes cause a toxaemic reaction, is the Minister aware that green potatoes are readily available in Canberra? They are quite often sold in coloured plastic bags, making it very difficult to ascertain their colour when they are being purchased. Is the Minister contemplating taking any action, or has he taken any action, concerning the availability of green potatoes? Secondly, has it been noted that they are harmful, and is that knowledge being made available to the general public?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I thank Mr Stevenson for his question. I must admit that, being a person of culinary expertise myself, I was not aware until fairly recent times - - -
Ms Follett: You put eggs in scones, Gary; come on.
MR HUMPHRIES: We all make mistakes, Ms Follett. The knowledge came to me fairly recently that green potatoes were, in fact, quite dangerous and potentially even fatal, I am told. I am sure, therefore, that if it came to my attention only fairly recently it probably is a matter of which many ordinary citizens of the ACT might be ignorant, and I think it is appropriate to ensure that injury or risk does not occur because of the existence of such things in the ACT.
As to whether green potatoes are a phenomenon which it is impossible to avoid because they are potatoes which become edible potatoes later, I cannot say. I will take on notice the question of what action the ACT department of health might take to remedy the situation. It may be a matter more appropriately under the auspices of the Consumer Affairs Bureau. However, I will arrange an appropriate response to that question.
I might also indicate that it is possible that issues such as this might be dealt with under the proposed food Act which I hope to be able to introduce in the Assembly some time in the coming weeks. If that is the case, then, of course, action on that front would be greatly enhanced by the existence of that Act. However, I will take on notice those aspects of Mr Stevenson's question which I have not been able to answer.
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