Veterans' Affairs

126 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (12 August 2014). (First Session) In reference to 2014-15 Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 107, Program 4: Veterans' Affairs—

1. What action has been undertaken to save the graves and memorial sites of war veterans at Centennial Park's Derrick Gardens, RSL walls and the Enfield Memorial Park's Kibby Gardens?

2. Has funding been provided to these cemeteries to cover maintenance and if so, what is the budget allocation for 2014-15?

3. What is the current status of the lease arrangement which is due to expire in 2015?

4. Have negotiations to extend lease arrangements been undertaken and if so, what is the current status of those negotiations?

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs): I have been advised:

Responsibility for cemeteries in South Australia rests with the Minister for Planning. As such, these questions fall under the responsibility of the Hon John Rau MP. The question of the budget allocation for 2014-15 should be directed to the Minister for Planning.

That said, I am advised that in 2006 the state government entered into a 10-year agreement with the Centennial Park Cemetery Authority to extend the leases of dedicated ex-service graves in the Derrick Gardens and the RSL Walls at Centennial Park. This agreement commenced on 1 October 2006 and is due to expire on 30 September 2016.

I am also advised that on 24 October 2006, the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority gave the state government an undertaking that it would waive grant renewal income for Enfield Memorial Park's Kibby Gardens section that is dedicated for ex-service personnel at Enfield Memorial Park. The commitment to fund the maintenance of this area as a community service obligation will end on 30 June 2016.

I am aware that the Minister for Planning, the Hon John Rau MP, who has state government responsibility for cemeteries, is considering what will be done when the current 10-year agreement with the Centennial Park Cemetery agreement expires. Negotiations are ongoing.

I am advised that the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority will consider the future of its current 10-year agreement that ends on 30 June 2016 relating to the Kibby Gardens section of the Enfield Memorial Park Cemetery as part of the Authority's 2016-17 budget drafting process and when drafting the Authority's 2016-17 Annual Performance Statement.