[Greens-Media] Greater regulation to stop rogue funeral operators

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
2 May 2010

Greater regulation to stop rogue funeral operators


Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has warned that
incidents of abusive and disrespectful practices in the funeral
industry will continue if the NSW government moves to deregulate the
industry. (Sun Herald, page 5, http://bit.ly/aeM1ef)

“The NSW government should use the planned review of the Public Health
Bill to tighten funeral industry regulations not weaken them,” Ms
Rhiannon said.

“The slack approach of the government to this industry is allowing
unscrupulous actions to flourish.

“The Health Department must bear much of the responsibility for
inappropriate practices including washing a body in a car wash bay,
over charging and disposing of body parts in council bins.

“Over many years the NSW government has been warned about problems in
the funeral industry.

“In 2005 a NSW Upper House committee recommended an industry-wide
mandatory code of practice consistent with current consumer and health
regulations. http://bit.ly/dfMrZC

“The NSW government rejected this recommendation.

“In 2006 I spoke in parliament about the need for greater regulation
of the funeral industry following information supplied to me by a
crematorium worker. http://bit.ly/9QTBt3

“It is understandable that the Funeral and Allied Industries Union is
concerned about how the NSW government is managing their industry.

“The Greens support the Union’s call for random checks and on-the-spot
fines for funeral directors who breach health regulations.

“This industry is crying out for more regulation. People grieving for
their loved ones should not be exposed to shonky operators who
flourish in a deregulated market,” Ms Rhiannon said.


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