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UK Against Fluoridation

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Australia - Rally against

Anti-fluoride rally
By By Lisa Finnerty
MEMBERS of the local community are calling on the council to stand up to the state government over fluoride, even if it means taking the government to court.
At yesterday's anti-fluoride rally in Bruxner Park they called on Mayor Toby Smith for help.
"You've got to be the voice for us," they said. "You're elected to represent us, not government departments." Councillor Smith explained that he had done everything in his power to try and persuade the NSW Department of Health and even the Minister for Health to overturn the decision.
Despite his explanations the protesters said they felt the council had let them down by referring the matter to the Department of Health for a decision in the first place. They argued that fluoride is a toxic substance, harmful to people's health.
"You have to do your homework and know what that chemical is that you're putting in our water supply," one said. "I'm not a chemical engineer," Councillor Smith replied.
"These things were supposed to be taken into consideration by our health committee."
He said that he understood the Department of Health had based its decision on oral health grounds, especially to help young people in the town, to which a member of the crowd responded, "I've lived here all my life, I drank the water and I only have one filling. What this town needs is a dentist, not fluoride."
While the Mayor responded that a public dentist was now visiting town regularly, people argued that it wasn't enough and that there was already a six month waiting list.
The solution, they suggested was for the council to buy a house and set up a dentist in Tenterfield. "If lack of fluoride makes such a difference and we've all got such teeth then you think dentists would flock here! Forget the fluoride and get us a permanent dentist!" came the comment.
Although the gathering wasn't large it was vocal, addressing issues from poison through to democracy. "Tenterfield is the birthplace of a nation! But democracy? No! Well Australians wake up, they're taking away your rights!" came the cry.
The protesters called on the council to take the State Government to court over the issue after the Mayor told them if fluoride wasn't added to the water supply the State could fine the council $2,000 a day after June 30 next year. The council has taken the State to court before and won compensation when it lost the shire's electricity supply business to a state decision. Rally organiser Mike Rudge urged everyone concerned about the issue to write to Local Member of State Parliament Richard Torbay for help and to sign the petition asking council to take more action in having the decision overturned. Only one woman asked, "Where do we sign the petition in favour of fluoride?" The rally attracted coverage from several newspapers, the Channel 7 Today Tonight program and local prime correspondent Nathan Ross.
With 100 extra signatures on the petition, Mr Rudge estimated that at least 100 people turned out to show their support in the fight against fluoride.

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