A group of politicians have combined to advocate for cross border communities being impacted by the current COVID-19 border restrictions and requirements.
The group comprises South Australian MPs Nick McBride (Mackillop), Troy Bell (Mount Gambier), Adrian Pederick (Hammond) and Tim Whetstone (Chaffey).
They have been joined by Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin and his colleagues Dr Anne Webster (Mallee) and Dan Tehan (Wannon), along with Victorian MPs Emma Kealy (Lowan), Roma Britnell (South West Coast) and Ali Cupper MLA (Mildura).
The group has written to premiers, health ministers and chief medical officers asking that agreement be reached.
“We the co-signed, local State and Federal Government members whose electorates span the South Australian, New South Wales and Victorian Borders, write to ask that agreement be reached between the SA and Victorian governments to reciprocate recognition of COVID testing undertaken on either side of the border for the purposes of compliance with the border restrictions of each state,” the letter reads.
“Our cross border communities and workers that need to cross the border are facing significant challenges in accessing COVID 19 testing to meet border entry restrictions, implemented from time to time by both South Australia and Victorian authorities.
“This is costing workers time, resulting in delays, lost work and is causing significant frustration.
“Further-more we understand that some of our testing clinics in the Victoria and South Australian border zone are operating with limited capacity which has resulted in short testing opening hours.
“We also note there is an absence of testing facilities in some important border crossing locations on either side of the border.
“We recognise and appreciate our respective health sectors and police services are working hard to fulfill their roles in an ever-changing environment.
“We ask for our state health authorities to work together to make best use of our combined resources to both protect the health of our communities while supporting our regional workers and economies.”
Mr McBride said he had been made aware on a daily basis of the challenges people on both sides of the border faced in seeking to comply with COVID19 testing requirements of either state when in force.
“Our health services in both states have largely taken on COVID testing on top of their busy schedules.
“Some facilities are able to provide comprehensive hours within which COVID testing can occur, others are more limited in their capacity, and some key locations are without testing facilities at all,” he said.
“I am aware that other Members of Parliament on both sides of the border are hearing and seeing the same challenges to accessing COVID19 testing play out in their community.
“This is why we are advocating to our state governments for a collaborative approach to make the best use of our resources, by reciprocating recognition of testing done in the other state.
“I want to see community members avoiding having to drive long distances, losing work time to access COVID19 testing when they could have conveniently accessed a test in their own state, the results of which are recognised in the state they are entering.”
