Companion animals
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:07): My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Health. Almost one year ago I asked the minister to fix an old religious law that prohibits joint burials of humans and their pets. Under Victorian law, burying an animal in a public cemetery, even placing an urn in a coffin, is illegal. Since that time New South Wales has fixed up the cruel loophole that was denying people their dying wishes. Just last week the Prime Minister was asked on ABC radio if he would want to be buried with Toto, to which he responded:
If people feel close to their pets and they want to be buried with them, why would you stop it? Who’s being hurt?
Once again, I ask: will the minister finally honour the dying wishes of thousands of Victorians and allow joint burials between people and their pets?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:08): I thank Ms Purcell for her question, and I will refer that to the Minister for Health in the other place for a written response under the standing orders.
Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:08): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. Making this change has the backing of hundreds of cemetery managers and funeral directors, anthropologists, animal advocacy organisations and apparently even now the Prime Minister. Yet the Victorian government told the ABC it was aware of community interest in the issue but said it was not currently a legislative priority. Has the minister met with any cemetery managers or funeral directors who are currently breaking the law and risking massive fines and even their jobs in pleading for this change before determining it not to be a priority?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:09): I will also refer Ms Purcell’s supplementary question on to the Minister for Health for a written response.