Friday, 10 September 2021
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has welcomed today’s decision by the Queensland Government to reinstate the Border Zone.
Mr Marshall said that from 1am on Monday, 13 September, border zone residents within the region (Moree Plains, Gwydir, Inverell, Tenterfield and Glen Innes Severn Local Government Areas) would be able to cross the Queensland border for essential work and essential reasons.
“This is bloody good news for all our border communities, especially farmers ahead of a bumper harvest and students needing to cross the border to get to and from school,” Mr Marshall said.
“I was hoping our region coming out of lockdown would be the catalyst for a political reset on the part of the Queensland Government’s hard border and I’m delighted common-sense has finally prevailed.
“This decision means that all border residents will once again be able to cross into Queensland for essential work school, essential shopping, medical reasons or caring for people.
“Our border communities have borne the brunt of callous and punitive hard border decisions and I am delighted for them that next week everyday life and activities will get a lot easier.”
Mr Marshall thanked Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Cross Border Commisio0ner James McTavish for their assistance in getting the border zone re-instated.
“This has been a huge team effort – from local communities, to local councils and ultimately our State and Federal representatives all working together to achieve this sensible change – thank you all,” he said.
“Once again, people power has won the day and although we should never have had to endure the hard border, hopefully now we can put it behind us for good.”
Essential work means any work or volunteering that cannot be reasonably done from home. Border Residents will still require a Border Zone Travel (X Pass) to cross the border.
People crossing the border for essential work will need to have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. These changes do not allow for travel across the border for recreation or social visits.
For further information, visit www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/travelling-to-queensland