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As we move through a wet winter (well, for most) heading to spring, the team and I continue to pursue priority issues along our state borders. However, given the sheer number of border anomalies identified I am also working back into state government agencies (usually in Melbourne) to advise agency staff on how and why they can Ask the Border Question.
The aim is to grow the idea of testing grants, rules, policies and services at the border before they commence or are changed, as it is much better to avoid an anomaly in the first place than having to fix it up later. When agency staff Ask the Border Question they will:
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get to know their cross-border counterparts
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learn how the next state does it
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test proposals at the border first
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adjust to avoid friction at the border, and
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if an anomaly can’t be avoided, provide understandable information so those of us living in border areas can navigate it.
My effort includes advocating for ministers and senior officials to Ask the Border Question of their staff, because a message from the top will get through to agencies. You can also ask your local representatives to do the same.
I am also pursuing issues in our more isolated border areas, which not only face border anomalies but also more difficult or distant access to services from their home state. The communities affected occur at various points along both the South Australia and New South Wales borders. Asking the Border Question will help these areas too, but some additional consideration is needed to help with equitable service access.
Finally, you may have seen or heard that the State Government of South Australia is establishing a Cross Border Commissioner for South Australia, expected to be located in Mount Gambier. This will improve the scope to deal with South Australia’s border issues for both myself and the New South Wales Cross-Border Commissioner. A bill to create the role has been passed by South Australia’s Parliament.
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Ministerial changes
Following recent portfolio changes, Victoria’s Minister for Regional Development (and thus also for cross-border matters) is the Hon. Harriet Shing MP. Minister Shing is also Victoria’s Minister for Water and Minister for Equality.
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Victoria's Get Active Kids Voucher Program at the border
Victoria’s Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and active recreation activities by providing vouchers up to $200 to cover the costs for membership and registration fees.
So far, the program has issued more than 60,000 vouchers, providing more opportunities for kids to get active, try new things and learn more skills.
The program is open to Victorian children aged up to 18 who are named on a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and named on a valid Medicare Card. A special consideration stream is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, undocumented migrants and international students.
Parents now only need to apply for the vouchers online before redeeming them at a registered Get Active Kids Activity Provider – such as a registered local sporting club or organisation.
Voucher applications are closed for the moment, but the good news is this popular program is set to continue through to June 2023. That means a new round will open soon.
Registered activity providers must be affiliated with a recognised State Sporting Association or equivalent governing body and can lodge voucher codes with the Victorian Government to be credited the costs.
Activity Providers (eg clubs) located outside of Victoria but near the border will often have eligible Victorian resident children in their club. Such clubs are able to register as Activity Providers too if they meet the other criteria. Clubs can register for the program now by heading to Get Active Kids activity provider registration page.
Please head to the Get Active Victoria website for further information and updates on future rounds of the program.
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Ambulance Victoria at the border
Did you know that membership to Ambulance Victoria is available to residents in certain border locations in South Australia and New South Wales? This arrangement reflects the operational boundaries of Ambulance Victoria. For more information see the Ambulance Victoria website and refer to the list of eligible postcodes.
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COVID-19
While it may not make the news as much, coronavirus (COVID-19) is still with us and there are still some requirements in place when entering certain premises.
For the most up to date information for Victoria visit the Coronavirus website or call Victoria’s coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
For New South Wales visit the NSW Government COVID-19 website.
For South Australia visit the SA Government COVID-19 website.
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Funding Programs
Business owners are encouraged to visit Business Victoria, a comprehensive online resource designed to help Victorian businesses start, run and grow their business. On this website you can:
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access information about key business issues and get your questions answered
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access information about specific industry sectors
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identify the government licences and regulations that apply to your business
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step through interactive guides customised to your business situation
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find relevant financial support including grant programs, advice and training.
Several Sport and Recreation Victoria funding programs are also currently open. For more information visit Sport and Recreation Victoria.
If you are a young Victorian aged between 18-25, who owns a vehicle over 16 years old with a poor safety rating, you can apply for a $5,000 subsidy to replace your old car with newer safer vehicle. For more information, visit unsafe2safe.
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Consultations
Many government consultation processes in Victoria go through Engage Victoria. Check the Engage Victoria website regularly or register to be notified of topics that are open.
If you live along the border with New South Wales, you might be interested in NSW Government consultations that are listed on the NSW Government Have your say website.
Have your say, so that border views are heard.
These Victorian consultations are now accepting contributions:
You may also wish to take part in parliamentary committee inquiries. Submissions and hearing for these in Victoria are listed on the Parliament of Victoria website. Similar committee inquiry details can also be found on the websites for the Parliaments of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Australia.
New South Wales
South Australia
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Don’t put up with it
If you know of a border issue, raise it with us. No matter how big or small, or even if you think others have raised it already. Ideas that seem fine in Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide don’t always make sense at the border. One voice can make a difference!
You can get in touch via:
Email: enquiries@crossborder.vic.gov.au
Post: PO Box 1332, Wodonga VIC 3689
Phone: 0436 642 436
Connect with us on LinkedIn
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What happens with an issue after it has been raised?
At a minimum, every border issue or opportunity raised is reported to the Minister for Regional Development, The Hon Harriet Shing MP, the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria, Ms Danielle Green MP, relevant Victorian and interstate government departments or agencies and relevant Ministers.
When required we play an active role helping departments and agencies to understand the issues raised and how they are impacting on border residents and businesses. This includes bringing agencies to the border to meet with their cross-border counterparts and to hear from impacted residents and businesses directly.
For this newsletter I asked Parliamentary Secretary, Ms Danielle Green MP, to provide her insights into border issues, including her own experience living in a border area.
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Danielle Green, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria
As someone who lived in the cross-border community of Mildura, I have lived experience of the vagaries of cross-border life.
When I was learning to drive and on my P plates, I used to white knuckle when I drove across the bridge to Buronga in NSW or to Renmark in SA. The reason was at that time the turning and give way rules at intersections in Victoria were the opposite to everywhere else in Australia.
To me as a new driver, it was as foreign as driving in Europe or the US on the right side of the road. There was an upside though, because until 1984 Victoria didn’t allow hotels to open on a Sunday. Provided we could get a taxi or convince someone to drive us, we Victorian thrill seekers could go to hotels in Gol Gol or Wentworth.
That’s why I couldn’t be prouder of the work of the Cross Border Commissioner and his team in making the lives of border communities easier and less complex. Whether it’s road rules, school buses, access to TAFE, support for apprentices, health services, family violence or emergency response during fires or floods, nothing is too small for Victoria’s cross-border team.
The COVID-19 pandemic has massively raised community and government awareness of border issues and complexity, but has also elevated the important work that Luke and the team do each day. Well done team for recent wins in the area of sport grants – a victory for common sense, fairness and for families doing it tough.
Following the change of government in South Australia, Victoria will have even more opportunities for cross-border reform as that state introduces its own Cross Border Commissioner. I have no doubt that Luke and the team will grab this opportunity but also be generous with their time and advice to our South Australian neighbours.
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