On the 9th July, 2003, South Australia's Upper House, the Legislative Council, voted unanimously to support an Australian Democrat's Motion, The Hon. Sandra Kanck, requesting the Social Development Committee enquire into and report on multiple chemical sensitivity. The Social Development Committee is a standing Parliamentary Committee of six elected representatives, three from the Upper House and three from the Lower House, who regularly investigate issues of public concern. A Parliamentary Enquiry into mcs is a big step forward and a great opportunity for people suffering chemically induced illnesses and their supporters, to tell their story and present their case to Legislators. The Enquiry will help to inform the basis for future Public Health Policy and guide reforms in Chemical Regulation. Submissions to the Enquiry are now open and will be formally considered from February, 2004 and are open for WORLD-WIDE SUBMISSIONS. I have not been advised of a closing date, so people who suffer mcs/chemical injury/illness/intolerance/sensitivity/chemically induced illness/environmental illness may present their stories "as they have to live it" and any documentation whatsoever supporting this chemically induced illness may be submitted also. The postal address for Submissions:- Ms. Robyn Schutte, Secretary, Social Development Committee, Parliament Hourse, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000 South Australia. The email address is for Submissions:- robyn.schutte@parliament.sa.gov.au The bottom line is to tell it as it is, they do want to hear each person's story, the pain, suffering, difficulty/impossibility accessing any health care, home health care, home help or any help whatsoever, educational facilities, social events (depending on the level of chemical sensitivities as this is variable), the isolation, the ridicule, abandonment - this is what it is all about to tell your story of how you are affected. In Australia, many people have presented multiple Submissions and will continue to do so. Please take this opportunity to submit your information to influence National Policy which will in turn, impact upon other Governments by example, please take the time to inform these officials of the realities of chemically induced illnesses to the best of your abilities. Let us make this the year in which we can be granted the recognition required for all people world-wide suffering mcs/chemical injury/illness/intolerance/sensitivity/chemically induced illness/environmental illness. Links to examples of submissions

http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/trans/tranlist.html#canberra030620 http://www.dsc.wa.gov.au/uploads/Resource_Manual_for_LocaL_Governments1.doc http://www.dsc.wa.gov.au/content/disabilityinwa.asp On July 9 2003 South Australia's Upper House, the Legislative Council, voted unanimously to support an Australian Democrat's motion requesting the Social Development Committee to inquire into and report on multiple chemical sensitivity. The Social Development Committee is a standing Parliamentary Committee of six elected representatives, three from the Upper House and three from the Lower House, who regularly investigate issues of public concern. > > A copy of the motion and its terms of reference is below. Statements in support of the motion can be found on the website of South Australia's Parliament in the Hansard records of 9 July 2003 for the Legislative Council . > > A parliamentary inquiry into MCS is a big step forward and a great opportunity for people with MCS and their supporters to tell their story and present their case to legislators. The inquiry will help to inform the basis for future public health policy and guide reforms in chemical regulation. > > Submissions to the inquiry are now open but will not be formally considered until after February 2004. > > Both national and international submissions from people with MCS and their supporters are welcome. > > Submissions can presented by post to: > > Ms Robyn Schutte, Secretary > Social Development Committee > Parliament House > North Terrace > Adelaide SA 5000 > AUSTRALIA > > or by e-mail to: > sdc@parliament.sa.gov.au > > There will also be an opportunity to present verbal submissions to the Social Development Committee both in person or by telephone after February 2004. > > For more information contact Parliament House in South Australia at the above contact details or telephone national (08) 8237 9100, international +61-8-8237-9100. > > Please pass on this information to your networks of people with MCS. > > Thank you. > > Yours sincerely > Peter Evans, Grad Dip Health Counselling > Convenor > SA Task Force on MCS > > SANDRA KANCK > > Australian Democrats Deputy Parliamentary Leader > > Member of the Legislative Council > > > 9th JULY 2003 > > > MOTION:- MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY > For more information contact Parliament House in South Australia at the above contact details or telephone national (08) 8237 9100, international +61-8-8237-9100. > > Please pass on this information to your networks of people with MCS. > > Thank you. > > Yours sincerely > Peter Evans, Grad Dip Health Counselling > Convenor > SA Task Force on MCS > > SANDRA KANCK > > Australian Democrats Deputy Parliamentary Leader > > Member of the Legislative Council > > > 9th JULY 2003 > > > MOTION:- MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY > > The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: I move: > > That the Legislative Council requests the Social Development Committee to inquire into and report on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, with particular reference to- > > I. Which chemicals or chemical compounds are responsible for the majority of symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and how exposure to them can be minimised; > > II. The effect of chemical exposure on human fertility; > > III. The comparative status in other countries of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity as a diagnosed medical condition; > > IV. Best practice guidelines in Australia and overseas for the handling of chemicals to reduce chemical exposure; > > V. 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 > > VI. The ways in which South Australians with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity might more effectively access sources of support through government agencies. > > (Passed Unanimously, 9 July 2003) > submissions to the >Productivity Commission regarding Disability Discrimination & chamges >required to the Act in Australia so we can get services, recognition >etc.. > >I encourage everyone to put in a submission, we need changes...which >must be done on an individual basis. > >How to register your interest >If you wish to make a submission, or just be kept informed about the >inquiry's progress, please complete the online registration of >interest form or the printed registration of interest form and return >it by fax or mail. You can also email the inquiry team your contact >details. > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/index.html > > > >The link below is a list of the submissions thus far, but you will >see below, i have screened the names that i knew & i have listed them >individually for your ease,. > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/subs/sublist.html > > > >INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS CONCERNING CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY. > > > >1. Submission 152 18/6/2003 Rex Warren Australian Chemical >Trauma Alliance > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/subs/sub152.rtf > >2. Submission 160 23/6/2003 Agnes Misztal > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/subs/sub160.rtf > >3. Submission 167 & 179 1/7/2003 Stella Hondros > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/subs/sub167.rtf > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/subs/sub179.rtf > >4. Submission 194 10/7/2003 Ann Want Australian >Chemical Trauma Alliance > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/subs/sub194.rtf > >5. Submission 211 23/7/2003 ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome >Association of Australia Ltd > >http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/dda/subs/sub211.rtf > > > > > >