QUEENSLAND Cross-Border Commissioner, Ian Leavers, last week met with his New South Wales counterpart, Kalina Koloff, in Goondiwindi.
The meeting was in conjunction with the Border Regional Organisation of Councils (BROC) meeting, representing all Queensland and New South Wales councils located on the border, east of the Great Dividing Range.
“I’ve encountered many social issues unique to border regions,” Mr Leavers said.
“Many residents south of the border feel that there is a lack of support for which they rely on Queensland services.
“It’s essential that Kalina and I are focused on understanding the detail of the challenges and work collaboratively with the respective ministers of both states to enact change.”
During his visits to the Goondiwindi region, the Commissioner met with business representatives, individuals, government agencies, and community organisations from both sides of the border, including the Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce, police and health agencies, and Boggabilla community health nurses.
“While only a small portion of my role involves crime, I have heard loud and clear from across the state, including my visit to the Northern Territory border areas, that there is significant frustration with the current gaps in solutions to this issue,” Mr Leavers said.
He emphasised the need for increased resourcing to reflect the population and needs of both sides of the border.
“I will be strongly advocating for a range of solutions to address these issues, including improvements to law and order and the lack of confidence in the courts,” he said.
“Recognising the skills and qualifications of workers from different jurisdictions is important. By using consistent methods and working together, we can improve co-operation and share resources more effectively. Also, it is essential for emergency services across states to coordinate their efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all communities and give them the resources and legislation to do their job.”
The Commissioner expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Goondiwindi and Texas communities for their warm welcome and for sharing their experiences.
“Your insights are invaluable, and I sincerely appreciate your hospitality. It is a wonderful community to visit, and I look forward to delivering solutions that strengthen these border regions,” he said.
For more information on the Cross-Border Commissioner visit Office of the Queensland Cross-Border Commissioner: https://www.crossborder.qld.gov.au/
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