Australia - Greens attack city council
Greens attack city council
SHANE FOWLES
September 5, 2007
THE Greens have weighed into Warrnambool's fluoride debate, slamming city councillors over their handling of the hot issue, despite the decision being made at state level.
Wannon candidate Lisa Owen yesterday said councillors had failed to listen to the wave of public opposition over the impending fluoridation of the city's water supply.
``They refuse to act on our behalf and are persisting with a very unpopular and undemocratic stand,'' she said. ``The Greens challenge the council to respond to the voice of protest and support the democratic right of residents to have a say in what happens to our water.'' The Standard reported the anger directed at the council during an 800-strong rally against fluoride last month.
Former city councillors Frank McCarthy and John Kenneally joined the criticism, saying there was widespread support for a vote of no confidence in council.
Warrnambool Mayor David Atkinson returned fire at the Greens yesterday, claiming they were trying to score political points. ``I think they are jumping on the bandwagon...by trying to integrate themselves with a group of people who are against fluoride,'' he said. ``If this is an example of politics, I'm glad I am not involved.''
Ms Owen said the issue went much deeper than political point scoring. ``It is about our fundamental rights - rights that are being overlooked by all tiers of government,'' she said. ``The Greens believe in grassroots democracy and that community participation in the making of policy should be an ongoing process.
``On fluoride, this role has been left instead to concerned individuals who have had to spend their own time and money to try and shame the councillors into consultation.'' The Warrnambool Fluoride Action Group is calling for a vote on the issue. Cr Atkinson said it was the State Government that had failed to heed the demands of the people. ``They should be directing their anger towards the State Government, whose policy it is and whose actions will implement this,'' he said.
The Standard reported yesterday that Prime Minister John Howard was considering a request from Warrnambool residents for a plebiscite on the issue.
SHANE FOWLES
September 5, 2007
THE Greens have weighed into Warrnambool's fluoride debate, slamming city councillors over their handling of the hot issue, despite the decision being made at state level.
Wannon candidate Lisa Owen yesterday said councillors had failed to listen to the wave of public opposition over the impending fluoridation of the city's water supply.
``They refuse to act on our behalf and are persisting with a very unpopular and undemocratic stand,'' she said. ``The Greens challenge the council to respond to the voice of protest and support the democratic right of residents to have a say in what happens to our water.'' The Standard reported the anger directed at the council during an 800-strong rally against fluoride last month.
Former city councillors Frank McCarthy and John Kenneally joined the criticism, saying there was widespread support for a vote of no confidence in council.
Warrnambool Mayor David Atkinson returned fire at the Greens yesterday, claiming they were trying to score political points. ``I think they are jumping on the bandwagon...by trying to integrate themselves with a group of people who are against fluoride,'' he said. ``If this is an example of politics, I'm glad I am not involved.''
Ms Owen said the issue went much deeper than political point scoring. ``It is about our fundamental rights - rights that are being overlooked by all tiers of government,'' she said. ``The Greens believe in grassroots democracy and that community participation in the making of policy should be an ongoing process.
``On fluoride, this role has been left instead to concerned individuals who have had to spend their own time and money to try and shame the councillors into consultation.'' The Warrnambool Fluoride Action Group is calling for a vote on the issue. Cr Atkinson said it was the State Government that had failed to heed the demands of the people. ``They should be directing their anger towards the State Government, whose policy it is and whose actions will implement this,'' he said.
The Standard reported yesterday that Prime Minister John Howard was considering a request from Warrnambool residents for a plebiscite on the issue.
posted by Bill at
9:47 AM
1 Comments:
with the recent general election here in Australia, the word "Greens" is looked upon by many as a party of tree hugging nutters.... There are many people in the "Greens" who have every right to be concerned when you think of our water supplies now. We are in a drought situation, the water we drink just goes around and around - and does not just contain fluoride or chlorine (bleach). It also contains a little bit of everone else's medication that has been flushed down a toilet near you. So what sort of toxic cocktail is that !Enjoy ! ! !
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Anonymous, at 29 November, 2007
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