GOONDIWINDI Regional Council welcomed newly-appointed Queensland Cross-Border Commissioner Ian Leavers to the border region on Tuesday.
Mayor Lawrence Springborg emphasised the importance of the Commissioner’s role in understanding the specific needs and concerns of border communities.
“Mr Leavers’ appointment presents a valuable opportunity to advocate for our region and find solutions to different rules and regulations that impact our daily lives,” Cr Springborg said.
However, the mayor stressed youth crime is a state-wide issue.
“He is not a Minister of the Queensland government or the Queensland Premier, and we cannot place unrealistic expectations on Mr Leavers, particularly in relation to addressing youth crime,” Cr Springborg said.
“It is evident the current laws are failing all of Queensland. Urgent reforms to laws are required to ensure consequences for offenders, and the safety of law-abiding citizens is the priority.
“The Cross-Border Commissioner’s role is to make recommendations to the Queensland government to remove barriers where the border impacts Queenslanders,” he said.
“For example, in the case of youth crime, there needs to be more co-ordination in supervision orders where the person is a border resident. This is in addition to the legislative impediment to magistrates considering the person’s criminal record from across the border, despite this being an obvious consideration concerning community safety.
“The commissioner will make strong recommendations to the appropriate Minister for change, but it will still be the government of the day that will need to listen to, and action, these recommendations.”
Cr Springborg also highlighted the importance of providing the new commissioner with the necessary tools and resources to make a real difference.
“We urge the Queensland government to support the commissioner’s efforts by providing appropriate tools and resources to succeed in the job,” Cr Springborg said.
“It has been a long road for Queensland border communities to successfully get a Cross-Border Commissioner role. When the then-Council first requested the role around the early 2000s, around 90 bureaucratic processes hindered our communities; I can only imagine what the number is today.
“We need targeted solutions to address the unique challenges faced by border communities.
“The Cross-Border Commissioner’s role is crucial in advocating for border communities and ensuring that our specific needs are met.”
The commissioner’s role will extend beyond youth crime to address other critical areas such as schooling, electricity rebates, business licencing, agriculture trade, professional accreditation and health, to name a few.
Cr Springborg cited a recent example of Goondiwindi region residents not being able to access a TAFE course being delivered less than 15km away in NSW at the usual subsidised rate due to being Queensland residents.
“These types of challenges have a significant impact on the lives of our residents who are part of our community,” he said.
Goondiwindi Regional Council will work closely with Mr Leavers and other stakeholders to solve these pressing issues and improve the quality of life for border residents, a council media release stated.
