Page 656 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 February 2020
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ones are able to easily access appropriate services in Canberra. I was pleased to be present at the announcement last year when this was first announced in Gungahlin and I am pleased to speak to this motion today in this place.
The new facility in Gungahlin is part of a larger effort to build a more financially sustainable system for cemeteries and crematoria in Canberra. All providers will share a single sub-trust in order to fund long-term maintenance, allowing more flexible access to funds. This will also allow the cemeteries and crematoria authority to cross-subsidise revenue between cemeteries and crematoria. This model has been successfully applied in Victoria, as well as internationally in England and Scotland. This model will also allow the ACT government to offer cremations at a market sensitive price, easing strain on Canberrans during these difficult times and using profit for greater public benefit. Planning is already in progress, and we expect the facility to be in operation by the end of 2020.
This bill provides access to vital services for many members of our community. The new framework, combined with the new crematorium to be built in Gungahlin, will allow all members of our community to say farewell to their loved one in a way that is in line with their beliefs, as well as provide all Canberrans with easier access to after-death care services within the territory.
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (4.46): In preparation for addressing this bill, the Canberra Liberals consulted widely with diverse religious communities across our territory. In doing so, we have spoken to both recognised faith leaders and everyday followers. We confirmed with members of the Muslim and Jewish faiths that cremation is not part of either tradition. We also consulted representatives from the Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. We likewise discussed this matter with Sukyo Mahikari and Brahma Kumaris organisations. Of those faiths whose followers access cremation services, most expressed full satisfaction with the current provision of those services in Canberra.
Several recommendations for improvement were shared with us from the Hindu community. First, it is part of the Hindu practice that the eldest son or close relative of the deceased be the one to light the fire that consumes the body. In India and elsewhere where cremation involves funeral pyres, this is an actual fire. In Canberra, the process involves a button or a switch. We have heard that it would be desirable for kin to be allowed to initiate the actual cremation process in order to allow for the maintenance of this important tradition.
The second issue raised with us involves the number of family members and others who can currently participate in the final rites by being physically present in the place of cremation. It has been recommended that the space could be larger in order to accommodate more family and friends in these final rites. The final issue is about obtaining a departed family member’s ashes. Ideally, this would happen within 24 hours. It appears that sometimes it has been taking longer. Speeding up this process would be welcome. Also, there is no provision to inter the ashes in running water. From my understanding, the government is looking into it.
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