General News
2 April, 2025
Cross-border boss hasn't spoken to me: NT Minister
Steve Edgington is perhaps the most important person to speak to in the NT about border issues.
Cross-border commissioner Ian Leavers has yet to contact the only Northern Territory MP who shares a border with North West Queensland despite being in his position for more than six months.
Mr Leavers indicated to a state parliamentary hearing last month that he had limited success with the Northern Territory government since accepting the newly created position in August last year.
However, when North West Weekly called Barkly MP and NT Minister Steve Edgington to discuss some of the cross-border challenges facing both Queensland and the Northern Territory, it became apparent that Mr Leavers hadn’t contacted the former police officer-turned politician.
Mr Edgington, who in 2017 was instrumental in creating a cross-border MoU and alliance with Mount Isa City Council when he was Barkly Shire mayor, said he was open to discussions about some of the ideas being publicly mooted by Mr Leavers.
He said he was “very supportive” of all initiatives that improved communication between government agencies on the border.
Mr Edgington holds a ministry portfolio position that includes health, alcohol policy, Aboriginal affairs, housing and local government.
He said he was willing to discuss Mr Leaver’s suggestions, including a joint policing facility at the border and the appointment of an NT cross-border commissioner.
However, Mr Edgington said these matters would be best dealt with after Mr Leavers had first met with him in private to explain the purpose of his commissioner role.
“As the Member for Barkly and a member of the cabinet in the Northern Territory government, I would welcome, I would appreciate, the opportunity to meet with Ian (Leavers) and discuss these things, but we need to get a better idea of what his role is,” he said.
“I think we need to open up the conversation, and I would be very willing to speak to him about his role.”
After querying the lack of communication to date, Mr Leavers told North West Weekly that he planned to meet with the Barkly MP in the coming weeks.
“I intend to engage with relevant stakeholders, including Northern Territory cabinet Minister Steven Edgington, over the coming weeks and as activity progresses,” he said in a statement.
“The Office of the Cross-Border Commissioner works across the Queensland government at all levels and with other stakeholders to find solutions-focused approaches to Queensland’s border community issues.”