The Cairns mayoral candidates for and against fluoride in water

Four mayoral candidates have said they will commit to putting fluoride back in Cairns’ water supply, while others have rejected the idea. Vote in our poll.

Cairns’ three frontrunning mayoral candidates have rejected the region’s chief oral health officer’s call for council to put fluoride back in the water supply.

On Thursday the Cairns Post reported rates of tooth decay among Cairns’ children were almost double the rates in regions with fluoridated water, according to Queensland Health data.

Dr Harry Robertson, director of oral health at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, said increasing fluoride in the region’s water supply to therapeutic levels would have an immense public health benefit without evidentiary precedent of harmful consequences.

Mayoral candidate Paul Taylor did not commit to adding fluoride back into the water if elected. Picture: Brendan Radke

He called on the council to reverse its mulish stance on fluoride, which the council formally rejected in 2016 and has not budged an inch on the issue since.

Cairns’ mayor Terry James and mayoral hopefuls Amy Eden and Paul Taylor said they would not commit to returning fluoride to the water supply if they were elected mayor on March 16.

Mayor Terry James did not commit to adding fluoride back into Cairns’ water if elected. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Those against fluoride should have a choice whether or not to consume it,” Mr Taylor said.

“I am an advocate for a healthy and thriving society. Perhaps better education of parents and young people in the community could result in better oral health, instead of relying on the available water supply.”

Mayoral candidate Amy Eden did not commit to adding fluoride back into the water but did commit to a public survey. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

Mr James said he did not read the Thursday report as soon as he knew the topic was about fluoride, and staunchly rejected the possibility of changing the council's position if he was returned as mayor.

“Council looked at this years ago … it will be up to the next council if they want to look at that again. It’s not part of (Unity’s) strategy,” Mr James said.

Community First candidate for Cairns Regional Council mayor Denis Walls committed to returning fluoridated water but acknowledged it would need the council’s support. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Eden did not make a commitment to returning fluoride but did commit to surveying the community on the issue in her first 100 days as mayor if elected.

“Local governments are not health experts nor providers of public health. This is an issue the State needs to decide as they are the providers of public health services,” she said.

Independent John Kelly committed to bringing fluoridated water back. Picture: Anna Rogers

“Council needs to be looking at local issues such as managing council’s cost base to stop rate blowouts.”

Community First leader Denis Walls said he was committed to reintroducing fluoride but acknowledged it would depend on the support of the council.

“The evidence of its benefits is clear,” Mr Walls said.

Binda Warren committed to bringing fluoridated water back to Cairns’ water supply. Picture: Stewart McLean

“The dental community is fully behind fluoride introduction based on the medical evidence.

“Sadly, misinformation is rife … discussing fluoridated water publicly has been a no-go zone for many politicians fearful of voter backlash.”

Independent John Kelly said reintroducing fluoride was “common sense”.

“One-hundred per cent we should have it in there. I’ll go out of my way to bring it back,” Mr Kelly said.

Independent Binda Warren also said he would commit to bringing fluoride back.

“Now I’m informed and up to date. I have to seek the right advice from professionals and use their recommendations,” he said.

Independent Leah Potter said she was committed to bringing back fluoridated water.

“It’s a health issue. I’m not a scientist. I would be looking to the science and evidence, which says fluoridated water reduced tooth decay,” she said.

Originally published as The Cairns mayoral candidates for and against fluoride in water