MEMBER for Murray Helen Dalton has called on border MPs to push the Federal Government to develop a consistent and considerate approach to border measures.
Mrs Dalton has written to all state and federal parliamentarians representing border communities, asking them to consider signing a joint letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The letter calls on National Cabinet to adopt a uniform national approach to future state border closures and consider financial support for border businesses impacted by border closures.
It also asks Mr Morrison to appoint a federal minister for state borders to oversee issues such as exemptions and develop an agreed national definition of a border bubble, timeframes for processing permits, staffing resources and support for border checkpoints and a phone app giving clear information on border closures.
Mrs Dalton said border communities like Sunraysia had consistently lost out due to decisions made by politicians in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
“We can’t keep throwing border communities under the bus every time there is a COVID outbreak in a big city,” she said.
“We urgently need the Federal Government to compensate our businesses, because the NSW Government won’t provide financial support for Victorian border closures and vice versa.”
So far, Member for Mildura Ali Cupper has committed to signing the letter, along with Reason Coalition partner Fiona Patten and Member for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr.
Mrs Dalton said she hoped to see more of her political colleagues get on board.
“I really hope all border MPs can put politics aside, unite and make a joint push to the Prime Minister to ensure border communities are protected and compensated the next time a state border is closed,” she said.
“We will not survive another rushed, random, ad hoc state border closure.”
