South West Queensland mayors welcome Cross-Border Commissioner

Queensland, NSW and SA state borders at Cameron Corner, Bulloo Shire

Mayors from Queensland’s South West have welcomed the establishment of Queensland’s first Cross-Border Commissioner announced by Premier Miles in Parliament this week, with Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers taking up the inaugural position.

South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) Chair, Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole said the group welcomed the announcement after calling for this position for several years in a bid to deliver much-needed support to cross-border collaboration and delivery of services.

“The establishment of the Cross-Border Commissioner is a positive step and will help our region and Queensland in coordinating collaboration on key economic and social issues,” Mayor O’Toole said.

“We look forward to working with Ian and seeing him in region often to ensure he and his office can deliver great outcomes for Queensland’s border rural and remote communities.”

“There are significant community, industry, transport, education, health, disaster management, natural resource management and biosecurity issues that arise across our borders with New South Wales and South Australia. This role will deliver much-needed support to cross-border collaboration and delivery of services.”

“We thank the Premier for responding to our calls and bringing Queensland in line with New South Wales and South Australia which have had Cross-Border Commissioners in place for some time and are ready to work with their counterpart in the Sunshine State.”

Mayor O’Toole said that communities, business and councils need the role to be able to make a real, ongoing impact for the region by navigating through government processes and securing timely outcomes.

“To make sure this can happen, we will continue to advocate that the Commissioner’s Office is adequately funded long-term and centrally positioned in the Department of the Premier so it can work effectively, providing whole-of-government coordination across departments and agencies,” she said.

“We look forward to working with Ian and seeing him in region often to ensure he and his office can deliver great outcomes for Queensland’s border rural and remote communities.”

Media contact: Aleisha Domrow - 0423 116 865