Annastacia Palaszczuk refuses to mandate fluoride in Queensland

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Photo: Chris Hyde

The Queensland Government has doubled down on ruling out mandatory fluoridation in the state's water supplies, with Annastacia Palaszczuk opting for a lead the horse to water policy, even if she can't make it drink.

Labor had made fluoridation mandatory in 2007 when it was last in government, which saw access to fluoridated water jump from 5 to 80 per cent, but the LNP instigated an opt-out policy for councils in 2012.

That was taken up by about 15 councils representing just under 700,000 people.

Public health officials are still pointing to the benefits of an overall roll out, with a March study showing tooth decay in children in the Logan-Beaudesert area, south of Brisbane, dropped by 19 per cent since the introduction of fluoride in its water supply in 2008.

But despite supporting fluoridation and accusing the Newman Government of "allowing these councils to take Queensland backwards" in 2013, Ms Palaszczuk has no plans to change the law.

"As I have said from day one, my government is a government of consensus," she said.

"The Deputy Premier and myself meet regularly with the mayors from different councils.  We are prepared to give as much information to councils as possible, but we want to take councils with us.

"I understand that some councils across the state do not have fluoride in their water – firstly I think fluoride is a good thing. 

"We know the benefits from having fluoride in water and we will be speaking to councils about this.

"We want to take people with us, but we also know the benefits – perhaps it is more about raising awareness with the councils about the benefits of fluoride to take people with us on that one."

Critics of the public health measure have linked fluoridation of water to increases in the incidences of cancer, allergies and arthritis, all of which have been debunked.

The National Medical and Health Research Council, which last examined the issue in 2007, is half way through a review of the benefits of fluoridation, as well as investigating any potential health effects. It is due to hand down its findings mid next year.