Victoria would appoint its first cross-border commissioner if the Coalition is elected into government later this year.
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Nationals leader Peter Walsh will make the announcement on Friday that Victoria plans to follow in the footsteps of NSW if it is successful in November’s state election.
NSW has had a cross-border commissioner since 2012, with James McTavish having held the role since 2014.
Mr Walsh said border anomalies had plagued Murray River centres like Albury-Wodonga for too long with licencing issues and the coordination of emergency services just two common causes of frustration.
The introduction of a container deposit scheme in NSW and Victoria’s decision to ban plastic bags are recent examples of one set of rules applying to Albury and another in Wodonga.
“A lot changes when you travel across the border and, for our business owners and residents in border communities, this is an added complication to everyday life,” Mr Walsh, the Opposition spokesman for regional Victoria and decentralisation, said.
“An elected Liberal Nationals government would ensure our communities have a dedicated cross-border commissioner based in regional Victoria to identify and solve these problems.”
P-plate drivers on the Border are commonly at risk of fines of up to $500 because NSW and Victoria cannot agree on licensing rules.
In NSW, drivers with a P1 licence cannot have more than one passenger under 21 between 11pm and 5am.
Roads and Maritime Services advises drivers to obey rules relating to the state where they obtained their licence but in Victoria, passenger restrictions operate 24 hours per day and police have to follow legislation which states drivers from all states must follow Victorian road rules.
Mr Walsh said the commissioner’s focus would include regulation and licensing, legal systems, emergency services and service delivery.
“The Liberal Nationals want to make it easier for border communities to go about their business,” he said.
“NSW already has a cross-border commissioner and has signed agreements with both Queensland and the ACT.
“It’s time for Victoria to take action to resolve our cross-border issues with South Australia and NSW.”
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Mr Walsh’s announcement comes after Victorian Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford launched an investigation into establishing a cross-border commissioner in June last year.
At the time of Ms Pulford’s announcement, Mr McTavish welcomed the prospect of a Victorian equivalent.
“For me to have somebody there would be wonderful and simplify my life immensely,” Mr McTavish said.
Last year, Benambra MLA Bill Tilley said “Albury-Wodonga would be the ideal location” to host a cross-border commissioner.
He lauded the initiative on Thursday and said it would make life simpler for Border residents, who faced unique problems living and working on opposite sides of the Murray River.
“It means our tradespeople have to get two separate licences to operate their business, while farmers and transport operators require two separate permits to move agricultural equipment,” Mr Tilley said.
“It also makes it harder for our police officers and emergency services to share the information they need to do their job.”
The NSW cross-border commissioner’s office has annual funding of $400,000 which covers two staff, travel costs and a base.