SOME CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The government, either state or federal, or a coalition, set up and provide funding for appropriate education and training in environmental toxicology as a major stream, linking  them into the medical profession within our universities and colleges.

2. Provide access to hospital and appropriately trained staff as a priority need.

3. That government provide "safe houses" facilities with staffing for victims seeking assistance and that these faculties are placed near large cities and provincial towns.

4. That the government implement initiatives to encourage developers into developing a clean house policy.

5. That these initiatives also include the public sector housing and provide chemically free safe housing for MCS victims in need of public housing.

6. It may require the government to set aside safe residential land where building is undertaken under a chemical free code.

7. It may also require the setting up of green belts around such land to reduce the amount of potential spray drift and water flow of chemicals into the area.

8. While discussing this we need to consider protecting our agriculture that is meeting the demand for chemically free organic produce.  It is becoming a large income earner for the Australian economy and must be protected.  It may not be practical to set green belts around these farming areas but some constraints may be needed.

9. pass legislation that can protect the rights of the individual to grow organic foods within their own properties without danger of pollution from neighbors, councils, government departments, etc.

10. Include in any legislation, Respite and Aged Care in this area,  Respite and Aged Care is an area that has been neglected by governments of many years.

11. The present drive towards privatization of many of our services and companies having a profit motif rather than a service objective is making it much more difficult for the low income sections of the community to receive any help or support.

12. No one disputes a need for accountability, but by what criteria do you measure accountability, i.e. services or profit?

13. We seem to have little difficulty raising funds to go to war or to fight skirmishes outside of our borders but appear reluctant to consider the welfare of the taxpayer.  Instead preferring to reduce those services in order to raise funds for these wars.

14. It does not make much sense.  The public is becoming aware of this anomaly and is questioning and challenging the governments' motives and policies.   They are no longer prepared to allow government to govern under a "We know what is best for you" (paternalistic attitude).  An attitude that implies the general Australian public is made up of nothing more than cretins.

15. That appropriate testing facilities are properly funded and that are not compromised by the influence of private companies, to test the use of chemicals and what might be the safe levels if any.  If there is doubt then err on the side of caution and ban them.

16. Whatever initiatives are funded they need to properly staffed as this leads to departments being reluctant to provide the service due to "funding shortages"

17. It is understood that Toxicology tests are not covered under Medicare.  This puts tests outside of the reach of low income and pensioners and only those with the money can afford such tests.

18. It appears a conundrum that these facilities are readily available for our agriculture stock and our pets, but not readily available to humans.   
    Some MCS victims have sought the assistance of their local veterinarian to get tests done by a veterinary laboratory, because of the difficulty in getting the tests done through our medical services or other government departments having the facilities.

19. Veterinary Laboratories regularly carry out these tests on racehorses, dogs, agricultural animals and our pets.

    Perhaps pets are considered more valuable than our children?
    
    




20. That the rights of the individual and families be reviewed under the light of the MCS victims treatment and laws and regulations amended to include them in services.
    
    

21. That the rights of all individuals are considered, in respect to treatment by Department of Social and Community Services and any other aligned organization, regardless of whatever disability they may suffer.
    
    

22. That governments undertake research into the phenomena of MCS and give it the recognition that apparently other countries can give.
    
    

23. Residential rights of the individual to grow organic food.  That the individual have the right to grow their own organic food for his/her family without interference of outsiders, whether by intent or by accident.
    
    

24. At present this right seems to be limited as apparently under existing laws the individual cannot call for help when their organic gardens are damaged, with the exception of treating it as an act of vandalism. or trespass.
    
    

25. This apparently does not allow the police to undertake an investigation and the owners are usually advised there is little they can do until they find a culprit and take action under civil law,  It is not considered a crime under the crimes acts.
    
    

26. Under Civil law it appears that the onus of proof is on the resident.
    
    

27. This might also apply to the rights of the farming community growing organic crops.
    
    

28. What is there rights if competition or vested interests decide to damage the crop.
    
    

29. It seems obvious that there is the potential for acts of vandalism could easily lead to death or injury of a victim who might come in contact with the "toxic" crop/garden.
    
    

30. Appears the line between criminal and civil needs clarification.
    
    

31. Set up appropriate registration, compliance and monitoring authorities and ensure that state and federal authorities liaise together. 
    Some of the present infra structure is already there and only needs modification or expanding to include better facilities and staff training.
    
    

32. I would see the quarantine departments being included in this structure, as we need to examine more closely the chemicals that can be imported and used in this country with having to go through the present systems.
    
    

33. In a similar fashion this needs to include every organization that uses chemicals, industry, building and construction, manufacturing, agriculture and horticulture to name a few.
    
    

34. It is obvious there will be some major changes to legislation to make laws that will allow the correct administration and monitoring procedures to work at all levels and through all departments.

35. We need considerable more  research into the implications of modified crops and animals.
    
    

36. A final conclusion: We need to avoid seeking to treat the symptoms and consider the causes, seeking ways to eliminate or reduce the damages.