THE South Australian Government’s continued refusal to allow medical specialists an exemption to perform surgery in Mildura without needing to isolate for 14 days on return shows why the Federal Government must intervene.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said the issue had dragged on for far too long with no end in sight and the SA Government flatly refusing to make any concessions.

“This issue is beyond ridiculous, people’s lives are suffering as a result and the SA Government simply doesn’t care,” Ms Cupper said.

“Lobbying from state and Federal MPs, medical experts and officials has just fallen on deaf ears and it’s not good enough.”

Ms Cupper said she had been working with Adelaide orthopedic surgeon Dr Tony Spriggins, who regularly consults in Mildura, to try and lobby the SA Government about the issue.

“They have just flatly closed the door on making any concessions to allow him to consult here without needing to isolate on his return to SA, which is just unreasonable.” Ms Cupper said.

Ms Cupper said the issue showed why Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Federal Government needed to appoint a Minister for Temporary Borders to oversee border control issues.

Under the proposal, the Minister would effectively redraw state lines to effectively manage low-risk zones.

“This would minimise disruption to border communities where there has been very, very low COVID-19 cases – with some having had no cases,” she said.

“It would allow us to maximise our economies as well as our social fabric and access to medical services such as those Dr Spriggins offers.

“The Prime Minister is yet to respond to my letter from last week about this issue – and he is yet to respond to the joint letter from myself, Member for Murray Helen Dalton and Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell asking for Federal Government intervention on the border closures.

“But we will continue this fight because our communities deserve better.”