Grave Fears Over Funeral Agenda

Date: 19 April 2000

Funeral workers fear State Government plans to deregulate the industry will see a return to the days of backyard burials and multiple body burns.

Funeral Industry Union state secretary Aiden Nye says these are the sort of practices that used to occur before the State Government regulated the industry in 1987.

But now, under pressure from National Competition Policy principles, the Department of Health has sent shockwaves through the industry by reviewing the need for ongoing regulation.

Nye says if that happens, we'll see a return to the bad old days where backyard operations, crematoriums that burned more than one body at a time and ignored basic health standards were the norm.

He also warned that a deregulated market would see hospitals competing with funeral homes for the right to dispose of dead bodies.

"If they want a second rate service with no minimum standards, then they're going about it the right way," Nye says.

Unions and the legitimate industry are resisting the push, saying the industry actually needs more regulation - through a statewide registration scheme to be overseen by the Health Department with input from the community, including the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association.

For further information

Contact:	Peter Lewis
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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