Berejiklian says NSW government to reassess OneCrown cemeteries plan

The Premier has pivoted on a plan to merge five cemetery operators to see off a political fight with the Catholic Church.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has assured Coalition MPs that the government will rethink its failed cemeteries plan in order to see off a political fight with the Catholic Church.

It can be revealed that Deputy Premier John Barilaro will also “insert” himself in policy discussions to ensure the government reaches a “politically palatable” compromise.

The government initially planned to merge the five Crown cemetery operators – including the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust – into a single entity but the plan ­received a backlash from the Catholic Church.

Two Liberal MPs, Scott Farlow and Kevin Conolly, spoke out against the decision in the Coalition party room meeting on Tuesday.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the government will rething its cemeteries plan. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

They were assured Property Minister Melinda Pavey would go back to the drawing board after ministers demanded she re-engage with stakeholders.

Ms Pavey said she would “continue to work” with the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust on how it could be involved in running the cemeteries.

“We will continue as the Premier expects me to, (and) as the Deputy Premier expects me to, have conversations on behalf of our government,” she said. “We will have the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust and their board very much involved in the future ­arrangements.”

Mr Barilaro said he would also be involved to “make sure that we end up with a good result for the people of NSW, and one that is politically palatable”.

Newly appointed Opposition Leader Chris Minns has backed the government’s decision. Picture: AAP Image

Allowing the Catholic-run trust to continue operating while other operators are consolidated into a separate government entity is firming as a likely solution to the stoush.

Labor leader Chris Minns said the Opposition “would be open to that provided the Catholic Cemeteries Trust is not wound up”.

Writing in today’s Telegraph, Mr Minns says the Berejiklian government was right to scrap the initial merger decision.

“To her credit the Premier recognised there was no case for excluding religious people from one of their most sacred roles in our community,” he writes. “I believe that governments must play a significant role in our society to improve the quality of life of the people of NSW, but I also recognise that governments cannot, and should not, be doing the work of faith-based organisations”