Page 4864 - Week 16 - Thursday, 29 November 1990
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The remaining part of the Bill establishes transitional arrangements which ensure continuity of legal, financial and other matters between those of the Community and Health Service and those of the ACT Board of Health. Of particular importance are the provisions relating to those employees of the former Community and Health Service who do not wish to become public service employees. We have ensured that their terms and conditions are protected for the remaining period of their employment with the Board of Health. Mr Speaker, I present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Berry) adjourned.
SOCIAL POLICY - STANDING COMMITTEE
Alteration of Reporting Date
MR WOOD (4.49), by leave: I move:
That paragraph (3) of the terms of reference of the Standing Committee on Social Policy's inquiry into fluoride be amended by omitting "by 29 November 1990" and substituting "on the first sitting day of 1991".
Members, the committee's report was delayed while we waited for a report of the US national toxicology program, just one more report among all the matters that we considered. Once that was received, we moved to complete our report and aimed to do so by today, the postponed reporting date. We have not been able to meet that target.
The reason for this new deferment is not that put by Mr Stevenson last week. It would be no surprise to members that there is a great amount of material for the committee to consider, and you would understand that there is a considerable debate within the committee about that material. Quite simply, the committee has not completed its deliberations, hence the need for this further extension. The reporting date will allow two sitting weeks before decisions have to be taken concerning the relevant Act.
Last Thursday, when Mr Stevenson proposed his motion Mr Prowse, speaking from the benches, launched an unwarranted and unfortunate attack on the National Health and Medical Research Council and Professor Douglas of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, who is a member of the NHMRC working party on fluoride.
Mr Prowse accused the NHMRC of academic fraud, lying and blatantly and purposely trying to mislead the committee - I presume he meant the Social Policy Committee. Mr Prowse's remarks were based not just on his prejudices but also on his ignorance of routine and essential scientific
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