Cross Border Commissioner

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:36): Supplementary: what issues were identified by the Cross Border Commissioner that the minister is now taking up?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for her question. There are a number of issues that were identified by the Cross Border Commissioner. We have indeed talked about some of them just today. Footrot was one of the issues that was raised by the commissioner early in her term.

A number of other issues that are experienced by people living in cross-border communities that are difficult to navigate, which is one of the reasons why we have this important role, include, for example, transfer of acceptance of qualifications or registration or licensing in a number of different industries and difficulties in accessing particular educational opportunities because you might live just over the border but the closest educational opportunity or training opportunity is on the other side of the border. A number of issues in terms of workforce development, biosecurity planning, fire management, health care, public transport and various other aspects have all been identified by the Cross Border Commissioner.

In terms of individual cases, it is probably not appropriate to be going through these here, but I am pleased to say that, while the recruitment process is undertaken, there are still opportunities for people to contact the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner and those are then being managed or referred as appropriate.