Hastings electorate
Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (14:54): (605) In the 1970s when I was in primary school we lived in housing commission. There was Mum and us four kids surviving on the pension, and it was tough going. Mum used to take us to the dentist once a year or so, which was a very frightening experience because, being on the pension, Mum could not afford the local dental clinic. Instead we would all jump on the bus and go into Fremantle to the dental school. It was a very unpleasant and daunting experience, being treated by students learning their craft. My constituency question is to the Minister for Health. How many students in my electorate of Hastings have been seen by the Smile Squad? Oral health has been an often-overlooked part of our complete health and wellbeing, and I am proud that the Allan Labor government has fought tooth and nail to bring the Smile Squad to every primary school in our state, providing free dental check-ups and treatment to our most precious community members. I certainly wish I had had the Smile Squad when I was in primary school.