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Community facilities | January 19, 2018

Liberal Nationals commit to tackling cross-border problems

Communities along Victoria’s state borders will benefit from the services of a dedicated Cross Border Commissioner under an elected Liberal Nationals government.

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said people living and working in our region’s communities near the South Australian border faced unique problems, including with access to services, licencing and coordination of emergency services.

She said for business owners and residents, changes across the South Australian border were an added complication to everyday life.

“It means our tradespeople have to get two separate licences to operate their business, while farmers and transport operators require two separate permits to move agricultural equipment,” Ms Kealy said.

“It also makes it harder for our police officers and emergency services to share the information they need to do their job.

“We’ve had cases of theft in South Australia where stolen property is suspected to have come across into Victoria but communication processes are lacking and that’s a barrier to the forces working together.

“Ambulance services experience the same problems – it’s common sense that they could work together but we don’t have the systems in place to facilitate that.”

Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation Peter Walsh is in Mildura today to make the announcement.

Areas the Cross Border Commissioner would focus on include regulation and licensing, legal systems, emergency services and service delivery.

“An elected Liberal Nationals government would ensure our communities have a dedicated Cross Border Commissioner based in regional Victoria to identify and solve these problems,” Mr Walsh said.

“The Liberal Nationals want to make it easier for border communities to go about their business.

“New South Wales already has a Cross Border Commissioner and has signed agreements with both Queensland and the ACT.

“It’s time for Victoria to take action to resolve our cross border issues with South Australia and New South Wales.”