Member for Currumbin, Jann Stuckey, met with Tweed MP, Geoff Provest and both the QLD and NSW Opposition leaders last week to discuss ways to remedy a range of cross border issues.
“Labor governments in QLD and NSW have repeatedly ignored resident’s concerns in the areas of health, education, small business, public transport and law and order that affect those who live in and around the border”, said Mrs Stuckey.
“Visits from Lawrence Springborg and Barry O’Farrell showed a level of commitment from the Opposition parties on both sides of the border, and acknowledged the need to adopt a seamless approach to dealing with the pressing matters that local residents experience on a daily basis.
The meeting found the key problems were caused primarily by the different state governments’ regulations and practices and made worse by poor resourcing of services, especially police and health.
“For example, Queenslanders who live closer to the Tweed Hospital than a Queensland facility are the first to be turned away when the hospital is running over capacity. This poses a significant health risk to people who are turned away and is completely unacceptable.
“Also, many school children live in one State but go to school in another. Families have to cope with different time zones, curricula and public transport discounting.
“As a result of last week’s meeting Geoff Provest and I have agreed to put together an audit of our area’s needs and present it to our respective Shadow Ministers for consideration in their policy budgets.
“Whilst the Qld and NSW Opposition parties propose to engage in more cross border co-operation the Labor Premiers are ignoring the issues and expecting ‘someone else’ to pick up the tab and fix these problems.
“Geoff Provest and I have continuously raised cross border problems in the Parliament because we realise the hardships and huge disruptions they cause to residents and businesses alike.
“These issues will only increase as the population in this region grows at a rapid pace. People who chose to live here deserve a better deal from their respective State Governments.
Media Contact: Jann Stuckey 0439 755 919