❓ Hon. Alison Xamon questions the Minister for Local Government regarding oversight and penalties related to the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board's Code of Conduct for funeral directors, prompted by concerns raised in an ABC Four Corners report. The Minister outlines existing mechanisms for investigation, training, and potential penalties, including licence cancellation and referral to other agencies.
AnsweredQoN 1069Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
METROPOLITAN CEMETERIES
BOARD — FUNERAL DIRECTORS — CODE OF CONDUCT
1069. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the ABC Four Corners report on the funeral industry aired on Monday, 23 September 2019, which
detailed several appalling incidents of undignified practices in the funeral industry.
(1) What
oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that the ''Code of Conduct
for Metropolitan Cemeteries Board Licenced Funeral Directors 2019/2020''
is upheld?
(2) Are
unannounced inspections of funeral homes and back-of-house preparation facilities
undertaken?
(3) What
penalties are available should a funeral director or staff member be found to
be acting in breach of the code?
BOARD — FUNERAL DIRECTORS — CODE OF CONDUCT
1069. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the ABC Four Corners report on the funeral industry aired on Monday, 23 September 2019, which
detailed several appalling incidents of undignified practices in the funeral industry.
(1) What
oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that the ''Code of Conduct
for Metropolitan Cemeteries Board Licenced Funeral Directors 2019/2020''
is upheld?
(2) Are
unannounced inspections of funeral homes and back-of-house preparation facilities
undertaken?
(3) What
penalties are available should a funeral director or staff member be found to
be acting in breach of the code?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Metropolitan Cemeteries Board actively investigates any complaints of breach.
The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board liaises with funeral directors and provides
training and education programs to help develop and uphold industry standards.
The code is updated annually to reflect any changes required.
(2) Section 17(3)
of the Cemeteries Act provides —
The Board, or a person authorised by resolution
of the Board for the purpose, may at any reasonable time inspect the facilities and equipment of an
applicant for or the holder of a funeral director's licence �
(3) The MCB may, in writing, cancel the licence of a funeral
director. If a funeral director or an employee is found to have breached the
funeral director's licence conditions of issue, including the code of
conduct, other outcomes may include suspension of a funeral director's
licence; introduction or changes to administrative policies, procedures or
practices; referral to another government agency such as the Department of
Commerce consumer protection division, Western Australia Police Force,
Department of Health or other relevant agency; or redress from the company
involved in the breach. Fines may also be issued for breaches of the act.
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Metropolitan Cemeteries Board actively investigates any complaints of breach.
The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board liaises with funeral directors and provides
training and education programs to help develop and uphold industry standards.
The code is updated annually to reflect any changes required.
(2) Section 17(3)
of the Cemeteries Act provides —
The Board, or a person authorised by resolution
of the Board for the purpose, may at any reasonable time inspect the facilities and equipment of an
applicant for or the holder of a funeral director's licence �
(3) The MCB may, in writing, cancel the licence of a funeral
director. If a funeral director or an employee is found to have breached the
funeral director's licence conditions of issue, including the code of
conduct, other outcomes may include suspension of a funeral director's
licence; introduction or changes to administrative policies, procedures or
practices; referral to another government agency such as the Department of
Commerce consumer protection division, Western Australia Police Force,
Department of Health or other relevant agency; or redress from the company
involved in the breach. Fines may also be issued for breaches of the act.
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