Minister for the North Coast and Ballina MP Don Page, and fellow North Coast MPs Thomas George, Chris Gulaptis and Geoff Provest, have welcomed the landmark appointment of Steve Toms as the State’s first Cross Border Commissioner.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Andrew Stoner today announced the appointment of Mr Toms, who has wide experience dealing with issues affecting rural and regional communities as a Land Manager for NSW Parks and Wildlife Service and Forests NSW, and as a councillor and Mayor at Glen Innes Severn Council.

“The appointment of Steve Toms as Cross Border Commissioner is an historic one for communities on the North Coast; it is the first time the region will have a dedicated advocate solely focused on their unique issues,” Mr Page said.

“I was pushing cross-border issues for more than a decade from Opposition, including introducing legislation as a Private Members Bill which the previous Labor Government rejected, so it’s good to be part of a Liberal & Nationals Government that identifies the importance of cross-border issues and has appointed a Commissioner to resolve them.

“The Cross Border Commissioner will work closely with border communities and stakeholders to strengthen cross-border arrangements and improve services affected by a community's border location, including health, business, transport, and agriculture.

“The sooner we can get consistency across State borders, the better.”

“Border communities face unique and complex issues that had been left to fall through the cracks. This appointment is welcome news for the North Coast,” said Lismore MP Thomas George.

“The Cross Border Commissioner gives our region a dedicated advocate and a powerful communication and engagement channel for border issues,” said Tweed MP Geoff Provest.

“The appointment of Steve Toms shows that this government is committed to properly representing rural and regional communities in NSW,” said Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis. 

Steve Toms has been appointed Commissioner for a two-year term. His tasks will include:
- providing an advocate for the concerns of cross-border communities;
- reviewing existing cross-border governance & management arrangements;
- developing strategies to optimise the delivery of services to these communities.

The role will be hosted within NSW Trade & Investment and work closely with border communities and stakeholders. The Cross Border Commissioner will provide specialist advice to the Deputy Premier, the NSW Government and the Director General of NSW Trade & Investment.