The state government has voted in favour of plans to allow cemetery operators to exhume the remains of dead people, 25 years after burial.
The Liberal-National Government has used its numbers in parliament to defeat a motion aiming to stop the proposal, which sees burial plots resold to third parties unless families have purchased a 'perpetual' plot.
Those who choose not to, or cannot afford to buy a perpetual plot will essentially rent a cemetery space for their loved one until such time as cemetery operators want to sell the space, under the Cemetery and Crematoria Amendment Regulation 2018.
The State's Upper House has reviewed the reform, hearing evidence from church groups, some cemetery operators and the NSW Aboriginal Council - with many in opposition to the plan.
Labor has slammed the proposal as "macabre," and is questioning why the state government hasn't moved to open up more cemetery space during its time in power.
The opposition is also concerned the regulation will prompt opportunistic cemetery officers to significantly raise the price of perpetual sites.
In December last year, the public was given a fortnight to have their say on the plan.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the government's moving forward despite huge community opposition.
"We've not had more people comment on Facebook about an issue than this," she said, "people were concerned, they had many questions which have gone unanswered about those cultural sensitivities, about family matters and about which graves will be dug up and where..."
Even though the regulation has been approved, Ms Hornery believes the community should still be vocal with their opinion of the move.
"Community sentiment can change many things, it might even convince [Premier] Gladys Berejiklian to change if enough community members come forward, and I invite them to write to their local MP voicing their concerns..."
Sonia Hornery said she's also disappointed the regulation was "snuck through" as one not debated in parliament. She hopes the matter will come up for discussion before Premier Berejiklian and Minister for Lands Paul Toole soon.
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| Sandgate Cemetery in the Wallsend electorate. Image: Northern Cemeteries. |
