Queensland Police appoint inaugural Cross-Border Commissioner – what it means for NT

Queensland Police has announced the appointment of its first ever Cross-Border Commissioner, whose remit is in part to bust offending across multiple borders. It means he’ll be on NT Police’s radar.

Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers has been appointed the state’s first Cross-Border Commissioner. Picture: David Clark

Queensland Police has appointed its first ever Cross-Border Commissioner, a senior officer and advocate who will co-ordinate responses to criminal activity that bleeds across state borders.

It means the Northern Territory, which shares a lengthy land border with Queensland, can expect to see a bit more of Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers, the sworn police officer that has been appointed to the commissioner role on a three-year term.

Mr Leavers’ commission would have a “focus on improving the experience and liveability of [Queensland’s] cross-border communities,” the Queensland government said in a statement.

“The Commissioner will develop relationships with local governments, regional bodies, state agencies, industry associations, and community groups, and provide advice to stakeholders and government.

“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.”

Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers has been appointed the state’s first Cross-Border Commissioner. Picture: David Clark

The Queensland government expedited through its parliament a bill creating the cross-border role in response to recent unrest in the Queensland-NSW border town of Goondiwindi.

The Courier-Mail reported recently that Goondiwindi had fallen prey to roving gangs of young thugs, some of whom had been captured on film brandishing weapons including machetes, axes and crowbars at a street fight.

Towns close to the Northern Territory-Queensland border include Alpurrurulam, Camooweal, Lawn Hill and Anatye, although it is expected the Queensland-NSW border will take up the lion’s share of Commissioner Leavers’ attention.