Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull is seeking flexibility and "common sense" around the eligibility for border crossings coming into effect Tuesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW government is tightening the criteria for border crossings, including removing shopping trips from acceptable reasons, even for those in the new border zones.
That leaves Victorian residents in small communities like Bendoc, Bonang and Tubbutt with a three-hour round trip to Orbost rather than a short drive to Delegate on the NSW side if they're after the weekly essentials.
"Even if you are in this new zone, the reasons for travel are restricted to work, education and health treatment or supplies. Shopping is no longer a permitted reason," Mr Bull said.
"What I am seeking is flexibility on two fronts.
"To be eligible for a permit you have to live in a designated 'border zone'. While Bendoc has been included, Bonang, Tubbut and Dellicknora have not. All of those smaller border communities should be included in the 'border zone'.
"[Also] residents in these communities...should be permitted to shop in their local area over the border for the basic essentials.
"What I am asking is for common sense to prevail and for these border communities to be provided with a rational and reasonable outcome.
"Time and again government approaches of one rule for all simply do not work and such regulations need to be looked at on a case by case basis to get the right result."
