The Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill aims to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021, which granted the Director-General of Health the authority to mandate fluoridation of local water supplies. Instead, the proposed legislation would require local councils to hold binding referendums on whether to fluoridate their drinking water.
According to NZ First leader Winston Peters, the Bill is about restoring democratic decision-making at the community level. “New Zealand First has always believed such a significant decision about local fluoridation needs to be decided by the people themselves,” he stated.
The party argues that public health measures like fluoridation should be determined through open debate and local input, rather than imposed by government officials in Wellington.
“The only people who would oppose this Bill are those who oppose democracy,” Peters added.
If passed, the legislation would amend both the Local Government Act 2002 and the Health Act 1956 to ensure that fluoridation decisions are made through public referendums.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
According to NZ First leader Winston Peters, the Bill is about restoring democratic decision-making at the community level. “New Zealand First has always believed such a significant decision about local fluoridation needs to be decided by the people themselves,” he stated.
The party argues that public health measures like fluoridation should be determined through open debate and local input, rather than imposed by government officials in Wellington.
“The only people who would oppose this Bill are those who oppose democracy,” Peters added.
If passed, the legislation would amend both the Local Government Act 2002 and the Health Act 1956 to ensure that fluoridation decisions are made through public referendums.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
5 comments:
I can't help but think this is one of the more minor issues to push for a referendum on. I am all for referendums on important issues. What about the Treaty Principles Bill, Maori Wards and of course any mandatory vaccination requirements?
I wouldn't call the corporate states deliberate poisoning of public drinking water with an industrial waste product, a known neurotoxin, minor?
This is blatant populism from New Zealand First. Referenda are never a satisfactory way to determine technical matters (refer to BREXIT if in doubt) and on matters that depend on science for validation, they are simply dangerous. The public wouldn't know their arse from their elbow when it comes to the merits of fluoridation, as Anon 5.48's absurd comment amply illustrates, so it would be just plain stupid to ask them.
Agree; looks like aluminium foil hat time for that one.
The Jones Boy has put his finger on one of the serious shortcomings of democracy, which is widespread public ignorance and misunderstanding being manipulated by well-heeled lobby groups with well-oiled propaganda machines that disseminate misinformation.
The average citizen wouldn't know an atom from an ion or have the foggiest idea about solute concentrations and is in no position to make an informed judgement about fluoridation.
Get ready for some real absurdities when we start discussing nuclear power given that the average citizen wouldn't know the difference between an allotrope and an isotope or between fission and fusion reactions.
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