NSW Government votes against taking responsibility for fluoridation

The State Government has voted down a bill that would have seen it assume responsibility for the fluoridation of drinking water.

The Opposition introduced the bill after a number of councils on the state's north coast had heated debates on the issue.

Late last year the Byron Shire Council voted against adding fluoride to its water supply.

Labor health spokesman, doctor Andrew McDonald, says the issue is too important to be left to local government.

"What this means is less fluoride in drinking supplies, and the dental health of the children affected will have changes for generations," he said.

"Every local councillor, everywhere in New South Wales, is now under attack from the anti-fluoride lobby.

"This is a very vocal and very aggressive lobby group who target local councillors.

"How many health bureaucrats or local councillors need to be threatened by the (anti) fluoridation lobby before the government sees sense?"

We have Andrew Mortimore and they have Andrew McDonald who knows best.