THE fight for sensible protection measures for people in border communities continues with three MPs on both sides of the Murray River co-signing a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison asking for Federal Government intervention.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper, Member for Murray Helen Dalton and Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell say the stricter border restrictions implemented last week are decimating border communities socially and economically.
“While we fully support sensible restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the implementation of the NSW-Victoria border closure is devastating cross-border communities who have been co-dependent on each other for more than a century,” the joint letter reads.
“Moreover, there is no evidence the extreme measures impacting on border residents are necessary – especially considering residents of Sydney Covid hotspots remain free to travel around the state.
“The key problem is the NSW Government’s very narrow and illogical definition of the so-called border zone – a zone that allows permit-based travel for work, education, health and to purchase essential goods.
“Many NSW towns have been excluded from the border zone, even though they are entirely dependent on Victoria for their goods, services and as their source of education, employment and health care.”
Ms Cupper said the NSW Government continued to refuse to allow seasonal workers from Victoria onto NSW farms despite calls from industry and community leaders.
“This restriction is costing citrus farmers in our region $1m a day, which is totally unacceptable,” she said.
“NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian continues to promote the line there is no labour shortage in NSW given so many people in hospitality and aviation had lost their jobs during the pandemic.
“This is no solution, and anyone who has even the slightest idea of how our horticulture industry works knows that.
“It is frustrating the NSW Government won’t participate in honest dialogue with industry and community leaders in border towns about this situation.”
