Cross Border Commissioner Office

147 The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().28 September 2022).

1. What is the total FTE allocation to the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner?

2. What is the geographical location of those FTEs?

3. What is the total budget allocation for the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner in 2022-23 and over the forward estimates?

4. What percentage of the budget is for FTEs?

5. What percentage of the budget is for the general operation of the office?

6. What percentage of the budget is for the functions of the Commissioner—such as consultation with and travel to all cross-border communities?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I am advised:

The current FTE allocation to the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner is for the commissioner position. Additional FTE requirements will be considered by the commissioner, and in keeping with Cross Border Commissioner Act 2022, with the consent of the minister and on terms and conditions determined by the minister, to assist the commissioner.

The Cross Border Commissioner Act 2022 states the commissioner should reside in a cross-border community, and the current recruitment for the commissioner details the position is based in Mount Gambier. The location of any additional FTEs will be considered by the commissioner, and with the consent of the minister and on terms and conditions determined by the minister, to assist the commissioner.

The total budget allocation for the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner in 2022-23 is $500,000. Over the forward estimates it is $510,000 in 2023-24, $525,000 in 2024-25, and $540,000 in 2025-26.

The distribution of the budget for FTEs, general operations of the office, and the functions of the role including consultation and travel to cross-border communities will be considered by the commissioner to meet the needs of the annual plan developed in consultation with the minister.