Parliamentary Questions

CEMETERIES ACT — REVIEW

491. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Local Government:

I refer the minister to his response to my earlier question without notice 194 on 1 June 2021 on the review of the Cemeteries Act 1986.

(1) Which key stakeholders were invited to contribute to the early, targeted stakeholder consultation?

(2) Given their vocal and consistent public protests around renewal over the past five years, why was the Saving Family Headstones at Karrakatta group not included in that initial contact?

Hon SUE ELLERY replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) As part of the review of the Cemeteries Act and the Cremation Act, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries—DLGSC—has invited contributions to early, targeted consultation from various relevant stakeholders. As this consultation is ongoing, a list of key stakeholders contacted thus far is provided.

I seek leave to have this list incorporated into Hansard.

(1) List of key stakeholders invited to contribute to the early, targeted stakeholder consultation as at 12 August 2021:

�          The Department of Health;

�          The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage;

�          Metropolitan and regional cemetery boards;

�          The Cemeteries and Cremation Association of Western Australia;

�          The Western Australian Genealogical Society Inc;

�          Regional and metropolitan funeral directors;

�          The National Funeral Directors Association of Australia;

�          The Australian Funeral Directors Association;

�          Native Title Prescribed Body Corporates;

�          Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations;

�          The Office of Multicultural Interests;

�          The Western Australian Local Government Association;

�          Local Government Professionals Australia (WA);

�          Western Australian local governments;

�          Members of the monumental masons industry; and

�          The Saving Family Headstones at Karrakatta Group.

(2) As part of this consultation process, the DLGSC sent email correspondence to representatives of the Saving Family Headstones at Karrakatta group during May of this year, inviting contributions from the group. The Minister for Local Government also encouraged the Saving Family Headstones at Karrakatta group to make a submission to the review in correspondence dated 20 July 2021.