Burial tax a grave mistake

CPSA is outraged by the NSW Government imposing a $70 levy on burials in Crown Land Cemeteries to fund the Crown Cemeteries Advisory Committee, which is “to provide advice on matters affecting the management of Crown cemeteries in New South Wales.”

“This levy is to fund what the Department of Lands should be doing - plan for burial needs in NSW.”

“This levy comes on top of already enormous profits made by cemeteries sitting on Crown Land. Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, a Crown Land cemetery, recorded a surplus of over $1.2 million in 2006/07.”

“Why can’t these surpluses be used to fund a burial space advisory committee?”

“The NSW Government should be trying to reduce the cost of burial, not increase it.”

“The cost of a burial on Crown Land is as high as $24,000.”

“Yet, Minister for Lands Tony Kelly sees no problem in pilfering another $70 from the bereaved to fund a committee to do the job of Government, while some Crown Land cemeteries make a fortune.”

“CPSA calls for this levy to be scrapped, and for the Department of Lands to adequately plan for burial in NSW.”

Media contact: 0410 612 182

Charmaine Crowe
Policy Coordinator
Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA)
Level 9, 28 Foveaux Street Surry Hills NSW, 2010
Phone (02) 9281 3588
Mob 0410 612 182
Fax (02) 9281 9716