PUBLIC HEALTH FORUM

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (15:44): I thought I would use this opportunity today to re-invite members and the Hansard reading public to the public health forum being held next Monday in the Balcony Room at 10am, at which Dr Paul Connett will be speaking about the known scientific harms of fluoride. A graduate of Cambridge University and holding a PhD in chemistry from Dartmouth College, Dr Connett, prior to retirement, taught at the St Lawrence University.

Since retirement, Dr Connett has turned his attention to the research literature on fluoride and quickly came to form the view that the evidence supposedly supporting the efficacy and safety of water fluoridation is deficient, if not flawed. In that time, Dr Connett established the Fluoride Action Network (a non-profit organisation dedicated to educating the public on fluoride), of which he is the Director, and its associated website fluoridealert.org, a leading source of science-based evidence of the harms of fluoride. He has given presentations at conferences around the world, met with governments and members of parliament and has made submissions and given evidence to committee hearings.

Dr Connett's submission to the recent Environmental Protection Agency's Inquiry into National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for Fluoride which, as members will recall from my question today, recommended lowering the level of fluoride added to United States' water supplies to 0.7 parts per million, is available on his website, along with many others.

Dr Connett has also recently launched a book he co-authored, entitled The Case Against Fluoride: How hazardous waste ended up in our drinking water and the bad science and powerful politics that keeps it there. I would encourage all members to read that book. Dr Connett is by far one of the most respected voices on the science of water fluoridation, and his presentation next Monday will, no doubt, be crucial to everyone's understanding of the fluoride debate.

I am pleased that several members of parliament have already registered their attendance. Unfortunately, neither the Minister for Health, John Hill MP nor any of his advisers are amongst those who have responded. This will obviously be an opportunity for any members in this place to put questions to Dr Connett in relation to the concerns or doubts they have and get a scientific response, and I think it is an opportunity everybody should take advantage of.