OUR communities need a national approach to the border closures that have played havoc with our lives for months.
For 39 weeks, NSW and Victorian communities have been dealing with some form of border lockdown and, of course, we’ve seen similar lengthy and difficult closures with South Australia.
We know COVID-19 will not be going away any time soon, and as such there will be a need for states to implement any measures needed to keep their residents safe.
But what is apparent is the ad hoc approach each state has taken is simply not working.
All it is doing is creating uncertainty, confusion and growing frustration and anger.
In July, I joined Member for Murray Helen Dalton and Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell in writing to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to implore the Federal Government to intervene when NSW closed its border to Victoria.
In response, Mr Morrison said National Cabinet was looking at workable solutions to protect communities but allow essential work, care and education to continue.
We would argue those solutions have not eventuated.
As a result, I have again joined a group of MPs in lobbying the Federal Government to do more.
We are again urging Mr Morrison to appoint a Federal Minister of State Borders, who could work with state MPs and National Cabinet to develop a more workable, national system.
What we are asking for is:
· 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 checkpoints and help lines are properly staffed.
· A phone app that gives clear information on border closures.
We are also asking the Federal Government to provide ongoing financial compensation to border region businesses devastated by border closures through no fault of their own.
It is clear we need a uniform approach to state border closures and we need the Federal Government to take a leadership role in the issue.
