NSW Government offers fluoride incentive to councils

The NSW Government is offering $7.5 million to persuade recalcitrant municipal councils to fluoridate their drinking water.

But Health Minister Jillian Skinner says the government won't be supporting a Labor bill that would give State authorities power to force councils to put fluoride in their drinking water.

Lismore Council last week overturned a ban on fluoride after seven years of lobbying by local health professionals. However there are 15 council areas across the State that don't fluoridate their water, the Government says.

Ms Skinner says the funds are aimed at encouraging those councils to reverse their decision. Councils can currently choose not to add fluoride to their water supplies.

A Bill introduced into NSW Parliament this month by Opposition Health spokesman Andrew McDonald would give the Government power to mandate fluoridation in council public water supplies.