Having had such underwhelming response from
my local federal MP Tony Smith, it was time to reach out to my state representative, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, James Merlino. A few years ago I met with him to discuss the issues of wifi in the classroom, and while he was interested at that time, he was noncommittal.
Here's the correspondence:
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Subject: 5G being deployed without safety research
Date: 11 April 2019
Dear James
A few years ago we met to discuss the concerns of myself and my wife of the full scale roll out of wifi into schools and the potential wellness impacts this would have. I note a number of schools are actively reversing their reliance on ipad-based learning systems and reverting to physical books, pens and paper as this sorry experiment is unmasked with the precipitous drop in results and the number of students that have been deprived of an adequate education as a consequence.
But now all Victorians are faced with a new electromagnetic threat - the rapid deployment of 5G which is underway in Melbourne's CBD right now and which is set across the country in due course along with a swarm of low-orbit satellites being deployed as well.
When pressed, the telecommunications industry admitted to US Senate enquiries that no active research into the health impact of 5G is currently being undertaken. Given that 5G is currently being rolled out across Melbourne, Victoria and Australia, how can your government simply rely on assumptions to allow this radically novel technology to be deployed based on assumptions of safety?
For you reference, here is the video clip of testimony in the US senate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ5soLrvXFg
It is highly noteworthy that Brussels, the Swiss canton of Vaud, some Italian cities and some cities in the USA have introduced moratoria on the deployment of 5G due to concerns about excessive radiation levels from 5G 'small cell' deployments.
5G is a radical new technology. It utilises millimeter-scale wavelength radiation that interacts with the body entirely differently to current-generation mobile emissions. Safety measurement standards have not been developed and no active research into the health impact are in place. Instead ARPANSA continues to base it's exposure limits on obsolete science. In a recent reply to ARPANSA on this matter by world expert Dr Martin Pall, Professor Emeritus of Washington State University he cites "158 bodies of evidence each showing that non-thermal exposures cause an important health-related effect." I recommend you read the entire letter to fully understand why the government needs to act immediately to bring ARPANSA to account.
https://stopsmartmetersau.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/prof-pall-response-to-arpansa-letter-4-march-2019.pdf
The roll-out of 5G is happening right now. A large body of evidence for the health impacts of existing mobile phone radiation exists and no research is currently underway to establish the safety or otherwise of 5G. The risks cannot be overstated, and if the roll-out is not stopped then the health and well-being of every single Australian citizen is put in jeopardy.
The State government cannot stand by and allow the telecommunications industry to swap our cities and suburbs with this dangerous experiment. Before long it will be too late and the health and well-being of everyone is at risk. I ask that you act immediately to halt the roll-out of 5G immediately, demand ARPANSA reflect the established body of research in their recommendations and require evidence of safety *before* 5G is deployed.
I look forward to hearing further from you.
Regards
- Richard Cullen
Sassafras
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Reply date 12 April 2019
Dear Mr Cullen,
Thank you for your email to James regarding 5G telecommunication technology in Victoria.
As matters relating to telecommunications are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government, you may wish to raise your concerns with your local Federal member.
The local Federal member for Sassafras is the Hon. Tony Smith MP, Federal Member for Casey, who may be contacted via email at tony.smith.mp@aph.gov.au or by phone on 03 9727 0799.
Kind regards,
Liam Attoe | Electorate Officer
Office of the Hon. James Merlino MP, State Member for Monbulk
Deputy Premier | Minister for Education
1635 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Vic 3160
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My response, 12 April 2019
Yes I am in correspondence with Mr Smith. However I believe that those who steward our state need to stand up for the safety of its citizens by declaring a moratorium while also lobbying your federal counterparts for a wholesale review of ARPANSA.
If you review the material I provided it is the only conclusion.
Mr Merlino- do not wash your hands!
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Further response from Merlino, received 17 May 2019
Good Afternoon,
Please find attached a letter from the Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister for Education.
Regards
Office of the Deputy Premier
Minister for Education
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My response, 25 May 2019
Dear Mr Merlio
My recent correspondence was directly in relation to the roll out of 5G in our city and state, and the concerns about the advice and stance of ARPANSA in this matter. You have failed to address any of the issues I raised regarding 5G in your reply to me.
5G has not been tested for health impacts. I note that insurance company Swiss Re have this week released a report stating in their view 5G is high risk due to "Worries about 5G technology include negative health effects, privacy issues, security breaches and an increased possibility of cyber espionage."
If you are using ARPANSA to justify your position that 5G and wifi provide no risk to health, I ask you to confirm to me who within ARPANSA is adequately medically qualified to provide health advice. The answer is - they can't.
I am staggered that you, as Minister for Education in this state, with NAPLAN results falling across the board and progressive schools reversing their decisions regarding ipad-based learning, would still continue to bang the drum that wifi is safe and effective in schools. The evidence clearly does not support this position.
I await your response.
- Dr Richard Cullen
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Stay tuned...
