NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton and state Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell have joined with other border MPs to write the letter regarding a national approach to any further border closures that may arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter has called on the Federal Government to appoint a federal minister for state borders to work with border MPs and national cabinet on a strategy going forward.
The strategy would include national guidelines on when a state border should be closed, an agreed definition of a “border bubble”, a list of agreed border closure exemptions, agreed timeframes for processing border permits and exemptions, support and resources to ensure border checkpoints and helplines are properly staffed, and a phone app that gives clear information about border closures.
Ms Dalton said any further border closures would be a disaster.
“Border towns will not survive another year of random, rushed state border closures,” she said
“It’s essential we get some national rules in place to protect and compensate our border communities.”
Mrs Dalton has written to every single state and federal government border MP to support the joint plea.
However, she said no government MP had responded to her request.
“It's very disappointing that major party MPs have put their party ahead of their community,” Mrs Dalton said.
“It would be great if all border MPs could put politics aside and present a united front to save our town.”
Ms Maxwell said she hoped the government would support the community.
“Victorian border towns have experienced months of border closures, leaving many businesses facing financial ruin and subjecting local residents to exceptional stress,” she said.
“I hope the national cabinet can work towards addressing the issues raised in this letter and devise a national plan for state border management that will deliver greater consistency and appropriate compensation and support to affected communities.”
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