The State Government has allocated $500,000 in this financial year to the newly-created position of Cross Border Commissioner who will be based in Mount Gambier.

The Opposition has posed numerous questions about the staffing of the commissioner’s office and they have been answered by Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven.

She said the number and location of support staff would be negotiated by the minister and the yet-to-be-appointed commissioner.

“The Cross Border Commissioner Act 2022 states the commissioner should reside in a cross-border community, and the current recruitment for the commissioner details the position is based in Mount Gambier,” Minister Scriven said.

“The total budget allocation for the Office of the Cross Border Commissioner in 2022-23 is $500,000.

“Over the forward estimates it is $510,000 in 2023-24, $525,000 in 2024-25, and $540,000 in 2025-26.

“The distribution of the budget for staff, general operations of the office, and the functions of the role including consultation and travel to cross-border communities will be considered by the commissioner to meet the needs of the annual plan developed in consultation with the minister.”