Strategic focus
Vision
To advance cross-border communities by supporting improved access and seamless delivery of government services and infrastructure.
Mission
Cross-border communities to be considered in all government decision making, supporting proactive economic and social outcomes.
Values and commitments
Trusted and Transparent –Transparent and accountable in all our dealings, sharing appropriate information and acting in a trusted, fair and honest manner.
Facilitating Connections – Facilitate connections, linking key decision makers, sharing relevant information and leveraging opportunities.
Responsive and Motivated – Act on matters raised and communicate progress, strategizing in the best interest of cross border community members and businesses.
Engaged and Knowledgeable – Work hard to engage with communities, key leaders and decision makers to get the right information for evidence-based decision making by government.
Promotion – Champion for Cross Border communities in relevant forums, engaging with local, state and federal governments, building strong connections and networks.
Accessibility – Be present and accessible to all in our cross-border communities.
Functions
To facilitate collaboration between governments and service providers to identify and address cross border issues
- We will engage with all tiers of government, businesses and the community to ensure the needs of cross-border communities are considered in the development and implementation of policy, procedures and legislation.
To identify and facilitate opportunities for economic development in cross border regions, supporting job growth, market mobility and new investment
- We will identify barriers and opportunities for economic development.
- We will advocate for an improved and simplified legislative and regulatory environment that delivers cohesion across state and territory borders, supporting business growth and labour mobility.
To facilitate better access to services for cross border communities
- We will work with other jurisdictions and service providers to improve planning for and access to a range of education, justice, health and community services.
To engage and support cross-border communities
- We will act as a trusted advisor for cross-border communities and businesses and recognised as a reliable advocate for these regions.
- We will be accessible and engaged whilst addressing matters for cross-border communities.
Strategic goals
Workforce Development – access to training, education and skill recognition
Workforce attraction and retention is one of the biggest challenges facing regional communities whose economic and social development is reliant on a skilled and capable workforce.
Labour mobility, supported by access to training and education and mutual recognition in some areas is critical to assist with business growth and a step forward in reducing administrative barriers for businesses and employees.
In addition, cross-border residents require support for transport needs, special needs requirements and infrastructure/resource planning to further support remote and regional cross border communities.
Safe and resilient communities – Maximise government resources across borders
Cross-border communities collaborate to share government resourcing and services to facilitate proactive outcomes for emergency management events, including pandemics. Shared resource management can assist social justice and support community resilience.
Support is required to connect key emergency service agencies to achieve a cohesive approach to incident management. Ongoing training and skill development will support staff and volunteers.
Furthermore, there are opportunities to maximise government and business management of biosecurity and waste management for greater environmental and economic outcomes through greater alignment of programming and resources.
Integrated service planning
Building a cross border system that works collaboratively with a shared workforce and cohesive program delivery will promote a seamless approach to service delivery and benefit cross-border communities.
There is opportunity to explore improved planning and delivery of services including healthcare and child protection in recognition of cross-border community need.
Furthermore, exploring an enhanced public transport system and aligned transport network that links these cross-border communities is paramount to ensure communities can safely and efficiently access services and infrastructure.
Develop and contribute to regional economic outcomes
There is opportunity to better recognise and understand the distinct economic and social zones our cross-border communities operate within, to support policy planning, grant delivery, business development and expansion. Local government and business leaders recognise opportunities to partner with cross border allies to support strategic goals which state government can play a role in coordinating.
Removing barriers to social and business growth – simplified regulation
Some cross border communities operate as one defined economic and social zone but often government regulation and policy makes it challenging to operate in cross-state jurisdictions. The State Government can play a strong role in recognising how these communities operate when delivering programs, grants, policies and new legislation.
The Cross Border Commissioner will work with key government decision makers advocating for the needs of residents, ensuring an assessment of the impact on cross-border communities and business owners is considered during the implementation and planning of policies to avoid the need for review or amendment at a later date.
Social licence/promotion – developing cross border recognition
The Cross Border Commissioner is a new role to South Australia and will seek opportunities and facilitate collaboration with cross-border counterparts to enhance regional and economic development. The Commissioner will work with other jurisdictions to enhance cooperation between bordering state and territory governments.
Furthermore, the Cross Border Commissioner will actively connect with all cross-border communities, building strong relationships and actively engaging with stakeholders. These relationships will be supported by open, transparent and consistent communication to achieve trusted outcomes.
The Cross Border Commissioner is an agency of the Crown. Until 10 April 2024, the Commissioner reported to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The inaugural Cross Border Commissioner Liz McKinnon commenced on 3 April 2023 and resigned from the role in December 2023.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) supported the administrative functions of the Cross Border Commissioner office through a Service Level Agreement, from the establishment of the office until the function was transferred to DPC.
On 11 April 2024 the Cross Border Commissioner commenced reporting to the Premier.
As at 30 June 2024, the Chief Executive of DPC, Damien Walker, was the Acting Cross Border Commissioner, and a recruitment process was underway to appointment a new Cross Border Commissioner. (Note: At the time of tabling this report, the new Commissioner had been appointed.)
The Office of the Cross Border Commissioner is supported by an Executive Support Officer. This role was vacant on 30 June 2024. Once the incoming Cross Border Commissioner commences, office staffing will be finalised.
From 11 April 2024, the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner receives functional and administrative support from DPC. On that date, the Cross Border Commissioner Act 2022 was committed to the Premier of South Australia. To complement this change, the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner was transferred from PIRSA to DPC.
Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries (until 10 April 2024).
Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia (from 11 April 2024).
The Commissioner’s office has obligations and functions under the Cross Border Commissioner Act 2022.
The Cross Border Commissioner role is governed by the Cross Border Commissioner Act 2022, which emphasises the need to facilitate improved outcomes for people and businesses in cross border communities, among other purposes.
Under Section 7 – Functions of Commissioner
The functions of the Commissioner are as follows:
(a) to facilitate collaboration between governments and service providers to address issues involving cross border communities;
(b) to work and engage with all tiers of government, businesses and the community to ensure the needs of cross border communities are considered in the development and implementation of policy, procedures and legislation;
(c) to identify key barriers for economic development in the cross border regions;
(d) to advocate for a simplified regulatory environment for business growth and labour mobility in the cross border regions;
(e) to facilitate better access to services for cross border communities by working with other jurisdictions and service providers to improve planning for and access to a range of education, justice, health and community services for those communities;
(f) to update and inform cross border communities and businesses on issues and progress;
(g) to prepare an annual plan in consultation with the Minister;
(h) to provide reports on any aspect of the Commissioner’s functions at the request of the Minister or on the Commissioner’s own initiative;
(i) any other functions conferred on the Commissioner by or under this or any other Act or by the Minister.