The state government has appointed Victoria’s next cross border commissioner to continue to advocate for locals living and working across the state’s border communities.
Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney announced Brett Davis would take up the role in February, continuing the critical work to resolve local issues and develop common approaches with neighbouring states.
He will replace inaugural commissioner Luke Wilson, who is stepping down after five years.
Mr Davis has most recently been the chief executive of Moyne Shire Council and was previously the executive director for regional Victoria for the Victorian Planning Authority.
He brings more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors across Australia in various fields, including town planning, local government and industry – with a particular focus on rural and regional Victoria.
Mr Davis said he looked forward to his new role.
“I am excited about the opportunity that this role presents and keen to build on Luke’s work,” he said.
“I am passionate about rural and regional areas, economic development, and look forward to working with our border communities, having worked with many of them in previous roles.”
The Victorian Government established the role of cross border commissioner in 2018 to identify and advocate for matters affecting communities that straddled state jurisdictions.
The hope was such a move would ultimately improve life in the border towns.
During his time as commissioner, Mr Wilson helped design the ‘border bubble’ during the temporary border closures with NSW in 2020 and 2021.
He also helped Victoria’s border communities to access relief and recovery arrangements following the devastating fires in the Upper Murray and East Gippsland in 2019 and 2020.
Other outcomes include advocacy for numerous reforms, including V/Line regional fare caps, improved inclusion of border applicants in state government grant programs such as free nursing and free teaching scholarships, and better information on road rule changes for P and L plate drivers when they cross borders.
Ms Tierney paid tribute to Mr Wilson for his tireless work supporting and advocating for border communities, particularly for his role during the pandemic and after the 2019 and 2020 bushfires, and wished Mr Davis all the best in his new role.
“We thank Luke for all his work in this role and congratulate Brett on his appointment as our cross border commissioner,” Ms Tierney said.
“Brett has a wealth of experience and a proven track record of developing and implementing initiatives that benefit communities and help local businesses prosper.”