Water Fluoridation

This speech is in relation to Water Fluoridation. The Liberal Party supports fluoridation and made this clear prior to the election and have maintained a consistent position.

(Continued from 29 September 2010.)

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (19:49): I am not going to speak about the merits of fluoridation or otherwise. The Liberal Party supports fluoridation and made this clear prior to the election and our position has been consistent, so I do not propose to address that particular aspect of this motion and, indeed, I note another item on the Notice Paper to be moved by the Hon. Ann Bressington on a similar issue. If we do end up proceeding with debating that, then I may speak about the merits or otherwise of fluoridation at that point.

In relation to this motion, it is about a meeting and whether the minister and some of his advisers should have attended. I think it is just another case of this government's arrogance in ignoring matters which are clearly of concern to communities. We have seen that on a raft of issues. We have seen a number of community groups which have had their rights ignored by a government that announces and defends rather than engaging in genuine consultation. I think this is another example of that. I note that the meeting has occurred, and so, unfortunately, I do not see that there is a huge amount of merit in debating this issue this evening.

I will not be supporting the amendment of the Hon. Russell Wortley because it has been dropped on us at the last minute, and therefore I have not been able to obtain advice from our shadow minister for health Dr Duncan McFetridge, the member for Morphett. I am quite ambivalent about whether we will support the motion as it stands, without the amendment, given that it is a meeting that has expired.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: We haven't had a chance to consult about Russell's amendment yet because the party room hasn't met.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Well, that's correct; we haven't had an opportunity—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Well, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened, would it? With those comments, I indicate the Liberal Party's position and look forward to debates on other issues.