In recent days, Ms Ley has been touring border communities to hear firsthand the experiences of businesses since the Victorian Government closed its doors to NSW on December 31.
On Tuesday morning, she was at Moama Bowling Club and following the meeting told the Riverine Herald the hurt in the community was clear.
“This was my fifth meeting with border communities, but it was the most passionate and concerning for the future of our region,” Ms Ley said.
“Unless you see or hear it, you don’t realise how bad the border closure is.
“I’m committing to contact the NSW Premier and deputy premier to let them know what I’ve experienced and tell them they should see it for themselves.
“I’ve written already to (Victorian Premier) Daniel Andrews and I will be doing it again reflecting everything I’ve heard across the border.
“I will be making it to clear to my colleagues, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, at the cabinet table just how bad this is.
“And while the Commonwealth Government isn’t able to compensate for the actions states take, we really need states to put together protocol on border closures that gives the population confidence.”
Despite all the doom and gloom of the situation, Ms Ley said she was trying to stay positive.
“There is optimism, strength and determination and that’s going to get us through,” she said.
“The overall message is, just like everywhere else, it’s not about handouts — we want our people back.
“My focus is on getting our visitors back. Because we’ve had successive closures, tourists are unwillingly to cross the border. They are concerned about getting home.
“However, once the border closure lifts completely and checkpoints are removed, I’m sure everyone will come back.”
And to get people back, Ms Ley wants to see tourism operators continue their push to holiday at home in 2021.
“The other thing that makes me optimistic is Australians can’t fly internationally this year,” she said.
“Domestic tourism, while it doesn’t always take the place of the international market, we’ve got a good opportunity.
“It is more important than ever for people to holiday at home.
“Businesses in Moama and the surrounding area cater wonderfully for a range of different people to experience things that are right on their doorstep.
“While Victoria will always be the region’s key market, there is an opportunity to profile our border communities to a national market.
“I’ll be approaching the tourism minister (Simon Birmingham) to see how we can do that.”
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