Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News
As the appointment of a cross-border commissioner edges closer, community advocates are hoping the new officer will be accessible and provide a voice for locals.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven has introduced the Cross-Border Commissioner Bill – a key election promise from the SA Labor Party – setting the foundation for appointing someone to the position.
“South Australia shares borders with every mainland state and territory, making it critical that those living and working in these communities have someone with the power to negotiate on their behalf, finding practical ways to improve economic and wellbeing outcomes,” Ms Scriven said.
The commissioner would be based in Mount Gambier due to the SA, Victoria and NSW borders hosting the largest populations.
The Bill requires the new appointment to be someone with detailed understanding of the issues affecting border communities and experience living within a border region.
The commissioner would have to identify issues, “broker solutions”, and provide advice on matters impacting border communities.
“We know that we can make our border communities better places to live by making it easier for people accessing education, justice, health and other important services across borders,” Ms Scriven said.
“We will also see economic benefits through reducing regulatory barriers for businesses.”
Ms Scriven said cross-border communities and businesses had faced a long history of matters which predated the pandemic “by many years”.
“The Cross-Border Commissioner will provide a new mechanism to address these issues and facilitate collaboration and engagement with residents, businesses and community organisations as well as all tiers of government,” she said.
Calls for a cross-border commissioner crescendoed during the COVID-19 border closures when community members had to volunteer their time to help confused locals navigate the border permit system.
Apsley farmer Paula Gust founded the Cross Border Call Out page in 2020, providing information and a point of connection to residents along the SA/Victoria border in the absence of a commissioner.
Ms Gust said she was pleased to hear the Bill introduced.
“We cried out for it,” Ms Gust said. “And even though COVID-19 isn’t affecting the border as much now, there’s still a need for someone to advocate and get the community’s voice heard.”
Ms Gust said some cross-border residents remained sceptical as to whether the role was still necessary or just “another layer of bureaucracy”.
“I’m reminding people there are other areas that would benefit from a commissioner,” she said. “Cross-border licensing, registration of trades and professions, regulation of food and equipment, transport, education, farmland that straddles the border, and also cross-promoting our regions.”
Ms Gust said she spoke with Premier Peter Malinauskas regarding the Bill and pushed that the commissioner be based locally.
“We need someone who is actually all over the border, not just learning but living it so they can know first-hand how it affects people,” she said.
“They need to be available for people to make appointments and sit down and have a coffee and talk about things.
“Hopefully that person in that role is accessible, as I tried to be.
“I think people in desperate or frustrating times need to hear your voice or even just shake your hand.”
Should COVID-19 see state border restrictions reimposed, Ms Gust said she would be unforgiving of any inaction. “If anything arises again and they don’t come to the party and do their job, I’ll be hot on their heels like a little chihuahua to make them accountable,” she said.
This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News.
