Helen Haines,the federal MP for Indi in Victoria's north-east,has asked the NSW Premier to guarantee that Albury-Wodonga residents will at all times be able to move between the twin cities to access health services.
She also has sought reassurances permits will be readily available for education,business and work while the border remains closed during Victoria's current coronavirus spike.
![Indi MP Helen Haines.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/1f9ac9fc5a2fed412ced997c9ffff3616c877dfd)
Indi MP Helen Haines.Jeff Zeuschner
The independent said constituents started contacting her Wodonga and Wangaratta electorate offices this morning,concerned and distressed about the border closure,which takes effect from 11.59pm on Tuesday.
She said the announcement had caused uncertainty for many people who live in border communities but warned it would be Albury-Wodonga residents who were most seriously affected.
"Many people cross the border several times a day to work,go to school or university,or access critical health services. Albury Wodonga Health operates the country's only cross-border public health service with hospital,care and allied services shared either side of the Murray River.
"In the past few hours I've had contact from many people concerned about accessing dialysis and cancer treatment at Albury Wodonga Health's Albury campus.
"There needs to be no doubt in anyone's mind that they will be able to cross the border seamlessly for health issues.
"I don't want to hear of one case where someone on one side of the border is not able to access critical health care on the other because of a health crisis."
She said residents needed guarantees of access and a workable,easily accessible permit system so that people could go to work and businesses could operate.