Hit the ground running

Historic cross border commissioner appointment

When you take a look at Liz McKinnon’s resume it is not surprising she has secured her place in history as South Australia’s first Cross Border Commissioner.

She has called both Victorian and South Australian towns home and for the best part of a decade she has held roles that required her to build networks on both sides of the border – perfectly preparing her for the tasks that lie ahead.

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has long campaigned for the role to be established, COVID only served to highlight the need for the role and the establishment of the commissioner fulfils a key South Australian Government election commitment with the role providing residents, businesses, and community organisations in the border communities with a new mechanism to address issues, facilitate collaboration and engagement.

Ms McKinnon (pictured) moved to Mount Gambier about five years ago and her subsequent roles in tourism, forestry and logistics has seen her already work with key stakeholders from both sides of the border, including campaigning for funding.

Critically she already has a strong working relationship with her Victorian counterpart, Luke Wilson, and looks forward to further developing that partnership.

“We already have a strong understanding of how we can best use our skills both sies of the border,” Ms McKinnon said. When she starts her role in the New Year, the new South Australian Cross Border Commissioner is giving herself 100 days to traverse the cross border communities to help develop a blueprint for the role both short and long term.

“My views at the moment are aligned to forestry, those views are quite linear and I want my understanding to be more broad,” Ms McKinnon said “I intend to meet with council CEOs, mayors, school principals, hospital CEOs and business leaders.”

The Commissioner will also work with other jurisdictions, including New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland to enhance cooperation between state and territory governments. The Member for Mount Gambier welcomed the appointment. “After advocating for six long years for this appointment to occur, I look forward to assisting Ms McKinnon in the role, which is most importantly, based right here in Mount Gambier – one of the state’s most significant cross border communities,” Mr Bell said.

“I imagine Ms McKinnon will have her own vision of what can be achieved, however I’m convinced this role will see increased productivity for businesses and significant improvements for those communities living close to a State border.

“There are a whole range of areas where I can see our new Commissioner playing an important role, including transport, tourism, agriculture, fishing and forestry and building those all-important ties to our neighbouring states through their own Cross Border Commissioners.

Historic cross border commissioner appointment “This is another election commitment asked for and delivered by our State Government before the end of their first year in government and we can look forward to many more over the next three years.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the delivery of this election commitment was a further sign of his government’s support for regional communities through finding practical ways to create better economic and wellbeing outcomes.

“I am looking forward to working with Liz in helping to improve the lives of our cross-border communities,” the Premier said. Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven also welcomed the appointment.

“The disruption brought about by the recent COVID-19 restrictions only served to highlight the long-standing issues for our cross-border communities as they try to navigate accessing work, education, health, and other services in multiple jurisdictions,” Minister Scriven said.

“Differing policies, regulation and practices produce broad ranging issues for businesses that regularly operate cross border.

“This can include having to comply with multiple systems and requirements usually leading to significantly increasing the cost of doing business in these communities.

“I am so pleased that this role will be able to help improve some of the challenges for local people.”