ME/CFS South Australia Inc: MCS report - Democrats call for action

ME/CFS SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

Registered Charity 3104

Email:
sacfs@sacfs.asn.au

Mailing address:
PO Box 322,
Modbury North,
South Australia 5092

Phone:
1300 128 339

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday,
10am - 4pm
(phone)

ME/CFS South Australia Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.

ME/CFS South Australia Inc aims to keep members informed of various research projects, diets, medications, therapies, news items, etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.

Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.

MCS report – Democrats call for action

July 6, 2005

Today’s release of the Social Development Committee report into Multiple Chemical Sensitivity* must be followed up with rapid action by the state government says Sandra Kanck, whose terms of reference instigated the inquiry.

“Recommendations of the committee must urgently be heeded by government agencies, especially the Department of Health.”

“A key recommendation will see a state MCS reference group established. I urge that group to be bold in their work, to see how far other jurisdictions have gone and to make South Australia the leader of the pack in Australia on this issue.”

“In particular local government should be encouraged towards a leadership role by instigating pesticide and weedicide free parks management.”

“The number one thing we can do is increase our awareness that people in our community are being badly affected by chemical use and that our personal reduction in the use of chemicals will assist them and the environment. There are plenty of alternative products available, many of them locally made and very economical.”

“I have been contacted from people all around Australia and overseas urging me to keep this issue high on the agenda, now it’s the government’s turn to take action within their departments.”

“I thank members and staff of the committee for their diligent work and honour the massive effort put in by sufferers of MCS and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome who have made what is for them super-human efforts to have their voices heard on this issue.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Sandra Kanck 8237 9278 or pager (all hours) 8273 2618

*Terms of Reference moved on a motion of the Hon Sandra Kanck MLC and carried on Wednesday 9 July 2003.

That the Social Development Committee inquire into and report on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, with particular reference to:

Which chemical or chemical compounds are responsible for the majority of symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and how exposure to them can be minimised;

The effect of chemical exposure on human fertility;

The comparative status in other countries of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity as a diagnosed medical condition;

Best practice guidelines in Australia and overseas for the handling of chemicals to reduce chemical exposure;

Current chemical usage practices by Local Government and state Government Departments and changes that could be made to reduce chemical exposure to both workers and the public; and

The ways in which south Australians with Multiple Chemical sensitivity may more effectively access sources of support through Government agencies.