Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-10-28 Daily Xml

Contents

ADELAIDE CEMETERIES AUTHORITY

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:11): I have a supplementary question. Would the minister please provide some clarification on who owns a headstone at the end of the lease of the plot?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (15:11): That is a rather complicated issue. It probably comes more under the portfolio of my colleague the Minister for State/Local Government Relations but, certainly through this portfolio, I am aware that what most cemeteries do at the end of the tenure, if they have the information, is seek, through advertising and other means, to notify the relatives of the person who is interred.

They hold the site for a certain time. There have been cases where there have subsequently been some disputes in relation to the ultimate ownership of these memorial headstones. I think, with the regulations that my colleague has recently brought in, that may be one of the issues that have been addressed.

Perhaps we can take that part on notice and, with my colleague, work out the actual legal position, but it is somewhat complex as to where it lies under the act. Certainly, I know there have been representations made to me, as the minister, on behalf of the four cemeteries under my jurisdiction, but also from other cemeteries like Centennial Park, to try and resolve some of these issues. We will give the honourable member a reply.