Cross Party MPs and Mayor claim win on border crisis a regional group of political representatives formed to address the chaos caused by State border restrictions says its united efforts have been vindicated by the decision to remove crossing checkpoints this weekend.
The Cross Party Cross Border Taskforce consists of Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest, Lismore Labor MP Janelle Saffin, Ballina Greens MP Tamara Smith, Independent Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry and Gold Coast LNP Members Laura Gerber (Currumbin) and Michael Hart (Burleigh).
Mr Provest said he had longstanding bipartisan relationship with the leadership of Tweed Shire Council and that it was a pleasure to also work with Ms Saffin, whose electorate includes Murwillumbah, as well as Gold Coast colleagues impacted by the border closure.
The group thanked the NSW Cross Border Commissioner for his tireless work on this outcome and his willingness to work with the Taskforce.
Ms Saffin stated, “This is fantastic news for our border communities and it shows the strength of our voices when we combine our efforts for the benefit of our communities. I thank my parliamentary colleagues for the open and collegiate way we worked together to get results and Mayor Cherry for taking the reins during an extremely challenging set of circumstances.”
Member for Ballina Tamara Smith said “after 70 plus border orders that our community has had to navigate, finally their pleas have been heard.”
Newly re-elected Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry said the positive outcome she had helped secure for Tweed ratepayers would be good for Tweed small business and good for Tweed families.
Mrs Gerber and Mr Hart said “credit for this win must go to the border community who fought tooth and nail, alongside this taskforce, to achieve this outcome.”
All members of the group said they would be open to working together in the future on other issues where a joint approach would yield good results for the community.