Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers will become the state’s first Cross-Border Commissioner, starting in the role on Monday.
The State Government fast-tracked the role in response to the current increase in criminal activity on south-west Queensland’s border with New South Wales.
Premier Steven Miles said the Government this week expedited the appointment following the cross-border nature of criminal offending at Goondiwindi in recent days.
Premier Miles said priority legislation was introduced into Parliament yesterday and was expected to pass today.
“Our cross-border communities can often face unique and challenging issues.
“A cross-border Commissioner will be a voice for these communities and will champion resilience and economic opportunities.”
Premier Miles said the Commissioner would develop relationships with local governments, regional bodies, state agencies, industry associations, and community groups, and provide advice to stakeholders and government, through the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.
“The complexities of living and working in multiple jurisdictions include different approaches to regulation and essential service delivery, which can be difficult to navigate for communities and add to the cost and ease of doing business in border areas.”
He said a priority focus for the Commissioner would be building disaster management capacity and resilience for Queensland cross-border communities on the Queensland-New South Wales border.
“More-than 750,000 people live in the 12 local government areas along the borders that Queensland shares with New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory.”
Premier Miles said a serving police officer as well as current president of the Queensland Police Union and the Police Federation of Australia, Mr Leavers would commence a three-year term on Monday.
“His experience on the frontline, and his collaboration with emergency services, local, state and federal governments make him an ideal candidate.”
Mr Leavers said throughout his policing career he had seen first-hand the unique challenges that border-communities presented.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with all jurisdictions that share a border with Queensland and am determined to make a difference to the lives of the thousands of people who call these regions home.”
