Minister Dunne's fluoridation statement a disgrace

"A disgrace to the office of a Minister, and an affront to our democracy, born of ignorance and unbelievable arrogance!" This is how Mark Atkin of Fluoride Action Network NZ (FANNZ) describes Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne's media release on the Far North District Councils decision to honour its resolution to not begin fluoridation if the public voted against it.

The referendum on fluoridation was forced on the Council by the Ministry of Health's contract. "Although the contract was entered into by the Ministry in bad faith 'in the back room' with former CEO Clive Manly, the Council has honoured it. Now Mr Dunne describes the process required by the contract as 'failed', and complains the Council kept its word!

The Council also honoured its agreement to a 2 year fluoridation trial in Kaitaia and Kaikohe. Mr Dunne describes ending the fluoridation trial after 2 years as per the contract with the DHB, as 'bizarre'! Astonishing!" says Mr Atkin "If I hadn't seen this type of duplicity constantly from fluoridation pushers, I wouldn't believe it."

"Mr Dunne has recently failed, and finally refused, to address questions put to him by Timaru resident Imelda Hitchcock. He knows nothing about fluoridation - he is just a puppet for the Ministry of Health and its failed policy" says Mr Atkin.

Mr Dunne claimed the Far North had the worst teeth in NZ - not so according to the Ministry's own published 2008 data. Four other areas have more decay.

"The fluoridation trial was a failure. So the 'researchers' produced a false report claiming benefit. We have previously described this as blatant academic dishonesty. So Mr Dunne just repeats this deception" points out Mr Atkin.

"As is plain from Mr Dunne's mindless tirade, it takes real courage for a Council to follow due process and act with integrity when barraged by ignorant politicians, who have no place interfering in Local body decision-making. Congratulations to the FNDC for righting the wrong of the previous Council, and listening to the people they were elected to serve" concludes Mr Atkin.

ENDS

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