As regular readers will know, the Ask the Border Question program is a centrepiece of the work of Victoria’s small cross-border team. This is a program we deliver inside government, supporting department and agency teams to understand how to think about border consequences of their decisions and advice, and how to include border impact assessments in their advice. The intent is to help those teams avoid the creation of new anomalies, or reduce their impact, or at least recognise anomalies if unavoidable and help border communities navigate them with better information.

The Ask the Border Question program is already having impact and the name is becoming known around agencies of the Victorian government. So, what can our border communities do to help with this push? Encourage (should I say insist) your local agencies and representatives to do the same – the more we all set Asking the Border Question as an ongoing expectation the more impact we can have.

Over recent months the team and I have been focussed on two evolving priority areas: border healthcare planning and a collection of issues around border policing and justice.

The former has included working with Terry Welch, CEO of Mildura Base Public Hospital, bringing health service CEOs, Chairs and senior officials from three states together in the Mildura area to share insights on patient journeys across borders and to identify ways to improve those experiences. Similar planning is occurring with other elements of the healthcare community including with Rural Workforce Agency Victoria.

Pictured from left to right: Kate Temby, RWAV Senior Manager, Luke Wilson Victorian Cross Border Commissioner, Lauren Cordwell, RWAV CEO.

We have also seen very recently the launch of Australia’s Newest Remote-Healthcare Pilot Program at Bonang, in East Gippsland. Bonang and the other communities around that area (eg. Tubbut, Bendoc, Delegate River) are some of Victoria’s most isolated border communities, highly dependent on services from NSW. The successful launch of the pilot and the associated health service hub network in that area is a testament to the enduring efforts of those border communities.

Pleasingly our tri-state police have taken a lead role on addressing the variety of challenges they and their justice colleagues face when working across borders. Indeed, our police are among the best examples of organisations Asking the Border Question in their own work as they actively invest in knowing their counterparts and identifying issues for improvement.

Of course, we have continued to work on various other border anomalies around public transport, grants, sport, tourism, biosecurity as they arise and as opportunities arise for specific issues.

Finally, after 5 years serving as Victoria’s Cross Border Commissioner, I have advised the Minister for Regional Development and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions that I intend to step down from this role in December 2023. It has been a privilege to serve as Commissioner and to serve as best I could our border communities, large and small. Not too much more needs to be said, but I am pleased that the role and functions are well placed to be carried forward by a new Commissioner. Thank you to all the border community members who have raised issues willingly and supported my advocacy efforts.

Luke Wilson
Victoria's Cross Border Commissioner

The team and I have seen a steady stream of issues raised by border communities and businesses, some of which are raised below.

I received several enquiries about whether the Victoria’s scheme includes travel to an interstate medical appointment. More information is available on the Department of Health website: Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme. The scheme can cover qualifying travel across a border as long as that travel meets the relevant criteria – and the advice is to accompany the application with your referral as that will help processing.

A parent in Bendoc queried how they might access free kinder given they live in an area without a Victorian kindergarten and instead use a NSW pre-school, which has some out of pocket expenses. I raised this matter with our Department of Education which is working on solutions for families in such situations – most typically in our more isolated border communities.

Victoria announced scholarships available for teaching degrees, a program similar to the 'free nursing' scholarships announced in 2022. Pleasingly, the teaching degree scholarship program adopts similar (but not exactly the same) arrangements for border residents as applied to the nursing scholarships. For more information, refer to scholarships for secondary teaching degrees.

Several families have raised questions about the different concession cards and arrangements that apply to Tertiary Students in each state and the confusion this can create around our borders. For example, can a Victorian resident attending a non-Victorian university access a Victorian tertiary concession card? Victoria’s Department of Transport confirmed that it is possible, if the institution and its courses are registered for that purpose. Charles Sturt University’s Albury campus courses are already registered for that purpose. I have advised additional institutions that have Victorian resident students and V/Line connections that they may also wish to register.

Business owners are encouraged to visit the Business Victoria website. It is a comprehensive online resource designed to help Victorian businesses start, run and grow their business. On this website you can:

• access information about key business issues and get your questions answered
• access information about specific industry sectors
• identify the government licences and regulations that apply to your business
• step through interactive guides customised to your business situation
• 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's Grants page and Get Active Kids Vouchers.

Round one of the new Tiny Towns Fund is open for applications. The Fund supports small communities with a population of up to 5,000 people to develop projects that benefit locals and help attract visitors. The Fund offers grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to deliver infrastructure projects, such as hiking trails, splash parks, playgrounds, community hall and library upgrades, public art and more. The Fund guidelines contain provisions for border applicants to make better allowance for border needs and situations. Applications close 5pm, 25 February 2024. For more information about the Fund, including eligibility, program guidelines and how to apply, visit Tiny Towns Fund.

Have your say, so that border views are heard.

Many government consultation processes in Victoria go through Engage Victoria. Check the 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 New South Wales government consultations, or for South Australia visit South Australia Better Together.

These Victorian consultations are now accepting contributions:

• Goschen Mineral Sands Project Inquiry and Advisory Committee – closes 17 January 2024.
• Developing the first Victorian Transmission Plan – closes 31 January 2024.
• The next stage of Victoria’s work to end family violence – closes 4 February 2024.
• Review of the operation of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 – closes 23 February 2024.
• Renewal of the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site Management Plan – closes 19 January 2024.
• Developing the first Victorian Transmission Plan – closes 31 January 2024.
• Reforming Victoria's animal care and protection laws – closes 8  March 2024.
• Tell us your renting story.
• Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Inquiry and Advisory Committee.

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 Parliament of New South Wales, Parliament of South Australia, Parliament of Tasmania and Parliament of Australia.

Victoria

• Inquiry into the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 – closes 15 January 2023.
• Inquiry into workplace drug testing in Victoria – closes 9 February 2023.

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.

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 Michaela Settle 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.

Following Luke Wilson announcement that he is stepping down from the role of Victoria's Cross Border Commissioner, a process is underway to appoint a new Cross Border Commissioner for Victoria.

In the meantime, Phil Currie is the Acting Cross Border Commissioner over summer and until the commencement of Commissioner Wilson’s replacement.

Our contact details remain unchanged:

Phone: 0436 642 436
Email: enquiries@crossborder.vic.gov.au