I'm glad I am not a Politician!
Over the last couple of weeks I have had to devote a disproportionate amount of time preparing a supplementary submission in response to a specific request to us from a government select committee who are examining the pro’s and con’s of passing some new legislation.
If it goes ahead New Zealand would join Australia in a new Therapeutic Trans Tasman agency which would be given enormous power to regulate dietary supplements in both countries and turn back the clock by decades when it comes to innovative and effective supplements.
Out of all the hundreds of submissions made to the committee only a handful was in favor.
What is frightening about this bit of legislation if it becomes law is that the new agency will not be accountable to Parliament in either country and the only recourse against unfair or unreasonable decisions will be through the courts, not the normal democratic processes.
In other words the agency will basically be a ‘law unto itself’.
I won’t bore you with the details as only a few of my readers live in New Zealand or Australia, but I mention it nonetheless because if this agency comes into being it has possible flow on effects to health conscious consumers in other parts of the world.
The outcome is being closely watched by other authorities throughout the world.
Although New Zealand is supposed to be a model of democracy our somewhat Dictatorial Prime Minister is insisting that all Labor MP’s vote along party lines, even if the content of this legislation goes against their personal beliefs and principles.
This is why I say that I am glad I am not a politician. I wouldn’t last very long if I was forced by the political party to vote as they say and not with my conscience and the best interests of my electorate at heart.
I have a personal meeting tomorrow with one of the Labor members of the Select Committee to further our position on this bill. He has a chance to make history by opposing this bill and supporting an amended one which would retain control in NZ and ensure that the officials running it are accountable to the public.
We will see what happens.
The battle is not lost yet, and there is a high probability that it will be won. If you would like to know more about this you can visit http://www.nzhealthtrust.co.nz and http://www.healthfreedom.co.nz
Warren Matthews
4 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (4)
The fall-back position Warren might be to propose what the legislation might be - rather than having it imposed.The NZ public is supine, you knnow that, when it come to dealing with the politicians or the poobahs of the public service. Rather than make any effort,they will just lie back - too hard to do anything.
Personally, I believe in governments (in this case) having only testing ability. They would randomly purchase and test each product marketed for content and purity etc.
They would then issue (the ONLY mandatory function), a labelling instruction
1. 100% pure and according to label = green sticker
2. Lesser level = orange sticker
3 . Fail - red sticker.
Failure to label accordingly = withdrawal of product from the marketplace (as in Aus).
Then advertise that green = good etc etc and let the consumer then dictate to the producer.
If I like Xtend-life products, even though they are red stickered - that is none of the government's business. If I don't like the idea of a red sticker - the Xtend-life loses a customer. Shape up, or ship out. This is informing the public but letting the public make its own decision - not nanny state.
There always seems to be a looming threat of more government interference especially when it comes to herbal formulas and amino acids. It is the liberal mindset of the nanny state that has brought this forward. Funny though, the pharmaceutical companies always seem to get their way even when people die from side effects. They are also allowed to advertise their products directly to the public which only encourages people to visit their doctors with suggestions on what drug they should be put on.
If you think about it they have got a lot to gain if supplements are regulated.
Unfortunately I can't give my name because it would put me in a very difficult position. However, it might be worth an investigation into whether the makers of statins are behind this new agency.
You are right with what you say Muzz and you have raised some valid points, and Rick you are also right in that we had to reformulate our Total Balance for the Canadian market. This was due to the L-Carnitine which is considered a drug in Canada.
Ironically, I know that L-Carnitine is available freely in many health food shops in Canada. Never mind, we overcome that by increasing the amount of L-Carnitine precursors in the formula which will give the same result. That was legal...but, crazy nonetheless.
We believe that the reason why they banned L-Carnitine is that some people take it to excess which can have long term negative implications...but, that applies to many nutrients.
And yes, 'anonymous' the pharmaceutical companies are certainly lobbying for this bill.
However, things are progressing along well, and we are cautiously optimistic that it will be defeated.