Liz McKinnon appointed SA’s first Cross Border Commissioner

South Australia’s first Cross Border Commissioner has been unveiled, with the experienced operator to be based in the South East. Find out who she is and how she can help the region.

Liz McKinnon has been appointed as South Australia's first Cross Border Commissioner. Picture: Arj Ganesan

South Australia’s first Cross Border Commissioner has been announced following the state government’s promise in the lead up to the March election.

Liz McKinnon will be based in Mount Gambier and has decades of experience with cross border relations.

Ms McKinnon will be leaving her role as Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub executive general manager, where she worked towards improving output and operations to combat Australia’s timber deficit. 

The Green Triangle spans across the Limestone Coast and into Victoria and is responsible for roughly 12 per cent of Australia’s softwood timber.

The newly appointed Commissioner was also instrumental in establishing the Green Triangle Fire Alliance, supporting operations between the CFS, CFA in Victoria and Forest Industry Brigades.

There have been calls to see Mount Gambier’s rail network re-established as estimates predict an 80 to 90 per cent increase on freight demand in the region.

Liz McKinnon has been appointed as South Australia's first Cross Border Commissioner. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Ms McKinnon said improving freight was among many issues on her list of priorities to tackle.

“I’ve had issues with freight — that’s not just a forestry issue. That’s an issue for the all supply chains,” she said.

“I know that when we move cattle across the border into New South Wales, the guys have to fill the trucks three quarters full to get into New South Wales because the load limitations.

“So very keen to see that resolved in the short term.”

Calls for a South Australian Cross Border Commissioner began during the height of Covid-19, where the exasperated cross border community struggled to understand the constantly changing restrictions.

Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven welcomes Liz McKinnon as South Australia's first Cross Border Commissioner. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven welcomed the appointment and said the Commissioner would be vital in tackling more than Covid disruptions.

“COVID-19 restrictions only served to highlight the longstanding issues for our cross-border communities as they try to navigate accessing work, education, health, and other services in multiple jurisdictions,” Ms Scriven said.

“Differing policies, regulation and practices produce broad ranging issues for businesses that regularly operate cross border.

“This can include having to comply with multiple systems and requirements usually leading to significantly increasing the cost of doing business in these communities.”

Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell said it was great to see the role filled after six years of advocacy.

“I look forward to assisting Ms McKinnon in the role, which is most importantly, based right here in Mount Gambier – one of the state’s most significant cross border communities,” Mr Bell said.

“I imagine Ms McKinnon will have her own vision of what can be achieved, however I‘m convinced this role will see increased productivity for businesses and significant improvements for those communities living close to a state border.

“There are a whole range of areas where I can see our new Commissioner playing an important role, including transport, tourism, agriculture, fishing and forestry.”