AN anti-fluoridation group has welcomed a comment by Premier Campbell Newman that the introduction of fluoride into Mount Isa’s water system may be reviewed.

Merilyn Haines on behalf of Queenslanders For Safe Water, Air and Food Inc. said Premier Newman’s comment in Parliament last week “opened the door to review water fluoridation in communities where it has not already commenced”.

“He acknowledged the forced nature of fluoridation and the fact that communities had not been given a say and may not want it. ”

The former Labor government rolled out a plan in 2008 to introduce fluoride into every water system in the state by the end of 2012.

Ms Haines called on the Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter to step in and stop the fluoridation which is due to be completed by the Mount Isa Water Board in December 2012.

“We believe that Mount Isa Council passed the Qld Government’s forced obligation to fluoridate, on to the Mount Isa Water Board, because of community opposition to water fluoridation and also because of Dr John Ryan’s (chair of Professionals Against Water Fluoridation) correspondence to council warning about the impact of fluoridation on children in combination with exposure to lead.

“Mr Katter, councillors and the Mount Isa Water Board, we encourage you all to please take this opportunity to prevent your community from being forcibly fluoridated and also to save a significant amount of ongoing costs for your council and community,” said Ms Haines.

Ms Haines said Tablelands Mayor Rosa Lee Long said her council is not in favour.

“In 2000, fluoridation was rejected in a fluoridation plebiscite conducted in Clermont – despite Moranbah, which is also part of Belyando Council, having been fluoridated for more than 30 years.

“If you do not want your community to be forcibly fluoridated and to have it bear the ongoing costs of fluoridation in perpetuity – please urgently contact the Premier and advise him of this,” said Ms Haines.

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