State Government fails on cross-border issues: Page
The NSW Labor Government, after ignoring cross-border issues for 11 years, had decided they need to be seen to be doing something in the run-up to the State election, Shadow Minister for North Coast Don Page said.
Mr Page said the Premier had advised he intended to set up a Taskforce to look at NSW/Queensland issues, and on the NSW/Victoria border the NSW Government was convening a meeting to maximise media exposure of their stunt.
“This NSW Labor Government had a disgraceful record of inactivity on cross-border issues and has twice voted down the NSW Coalition legislation to set up a Cross-Border Commission to deal with these issues,” Mr Page said.
“It’s amazing that on both the NSW/Queensland and the NSW/Victoria border, with an election looming, this Labor Government has now suddenly decided they are interested in cross-border issues.
“No doubt once they’ve got the media coverage, they’ll go back to sleep like they have for the last 11 years.”
Mr Page, who introduced the Cross-Border Commission legislation both in this Parliament (2003-2007) and the previous one (1999-2003), said the NSW Labor Government had ‘no credibility on cross-border issues whatsoever’.
He said differences between the States played havoc with border communities.
“The NSW Coalition’s small but effective Cross-Border Commission would have identified the issues, made recommendations to Government, noted the Government’s response, or lack of response. This would have been contained in an annual report to Parliament,” Mr Page said.
“This would have created activity, accountability and transparency in addressing cross-border issues.”
Mr Page said examples of cross-border issues included differing payroll rates, differing club taxes, and different workers compensation premiums, all of which disadvantage NSW business. There are also incompatible fishing licence requirements and varying restrictions on the purchase of liquor etc etc.
