Cross Border Commissioner

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Regional Development and Primary Industries regarding the Cross Border Commissioner. Considering the act states that the Cross Border Commissioner should reside in a regional area, will the newly appointed acting commissioner be relocating to the Cross Border Commissioner offices in Mount Gambier to better advocate for cross-border communities until a new commissioner is employed?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for his question. The acting arrangements are for a short period until the new Cross Border Commissioner is in place. In that light, the head of DPC won't be relocating to Mount Gambier.

What I think is absolutely remarkable—in fact, one might say extraordinary—is how those opposite have suddenly got an interest in the Cross Border Commissioner role. Suddenly, apparently, they support the Cross Border Commissioner role despite more than three years—three years—of opposition to it. Back in 2021—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —we had the member for Chaffey saying, 'Having a commissioner just adds another layer of bureaucracy.' That was the member for Chaffey.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: Point of order: under 110. It's clearly going into debate rather than actually answering the question. Clearly; it is clearly debate.

The PRESIDENT: You have swallowed the standing orders book, but I don't think your interpretation is the same as mine. Minister, conclude your answer, please.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you. Back in 2021, we had the member for Chaffey saying, 'It just adds another layer of bureaucracy.' Prior to the state election in 2022, did the Liberal Party say that they would institute a Cross Border Commissioner? No, they certainly didn't. It was called for by the member for Mount Gambier, and had been previously, but the former Liberal government didn't introduce it in their term and they didn't promise to do so during that election period.

Then I introduced the legislation in this place. In fact, it was such a high priority that it was the first piece of legislation that I introduced into this place in this term of government. During the debate, those opposite again raised issues. I can't remember the words, but it was around, 'This is an extra level of bureaucracy.'

'This is an extra level of bureaucracy,' they said, and then for the following two years they have done all they can to undermine the position. But then suddenly, just a few weeks ago, it becomes the most urgent thing on their agenda. We have been working away, we have been looking at the opportunities to elevate the role of Cross Border Commissioner. I am delighted that the role is being elevated—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —I am delighted that there will be increased opportunities for cross-agency coordination, for cross-agency responses, because the role will be with the central agency of government and will be able to look at all the various matters that intersect across different agencies.

Yet, what do we have from the opposition? They are still not happy, so they call for there to be a Cross Border Commissioner implemented in terms of the recruitment, and that it had to happen, and that it was terrible that it hadn't happened yet, despite the fact that there was a review happening to ensure that this could provide the best services to our cross-border communities. They objected to that. Now it's the next steps, and they are still not happy. Flip-flop, flip-flop, flip-flop: that is all we see from those opposite and that is all we see on this matter because they think they can get some political mileage out of it.

They don't really support the Cross Border Commissioner: today they don't, tomorrow they might, the next day they won't, and the day after that, who knows? That is the opposition; they have no understanding and they have no real commitment to actually engaging with and improving matters for cross-border communities.