THE Federal Government has joined growing calls for urgent intervention by state premiers on cross-border issues that it says could impact the cost of groceries, animal welfare and even critical human health for regional residents.
Tougher restrictions imposed this week will prevent Victorian residents entering South Australia from August 21, while Mildura Council says it has has already undertaken to resolve issues caused by the NSW border closure.
Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence called for an immediate review of new South Australian-Victorian border restrictions as Agriculture Minister David Littleproud urged state premiers to inject themselves into serious cross-border issues.
Mr Littleproud said the arbitrary closure of state borders had had serious unintended consequences, not only on agricultural supply chains but regional Australians’ wellbeing.
He said hard closures had stopped the flow of silage contractors and grain harvesters between states, veterinarians and agronomists were unable to visit clients and there were numerous human health impacts on residents who rely on GPs, specialists and allied health care across state borders.
He said there were many examples of the “devastating impacts these hard borders are having on rural families and communities”.
“State health officials need to engage specifically with regional communities and industries at the direction of the premiers to identify workable solutions that keep supply chains open while keeping Australians safe rather than arbitrary broad-reaching decisions,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Where practical, the Prime Minister will seek to raise these issues with premiers.
“Keeping all of our agricultural supply chains secure is absolutely critical to ensuring supermarket prices for fresh products remains affordable for Australians while maintaining some of the best animal welfare standards in the world.
“Our farmers must be able to continue their important work and regional economies that pose little to no COVID-19 risk must be allowed to continue operating.
“They deserve our full and unwavering support.”
