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NRWC
 
The National Rural Women's Coalition (NRWC) is a collaborative national voice for women living in rural, regional and remote Australia. Established in 2002, we seek to ensure better social and economic outcomes for women in our rural townships and on farms.

The objectives of the NRWC are to:

  • Represent the diverse views of women in rural, regional and remote Australia;
  • Provide advice to the Australian Government on policy issues relevant to the views and circumstances of rural women; and
  • Contribute to building a positive profile of rural women, their achievements and issues.

Issues of special interest to the NRWC are health, drought policy, family violence, transport and cross-cultural awareness between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women and their communities.

   Current members of the NRWC are:
  • Australian Local Government Women's Association
  • Australian Women in Agriculture
  • Country Women's Association of Australian
  • Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women
  • National Rural Health Alliance
  • Rural Doctors Association of Australia - Female Doctor's Group
  • Women's Industry Network Seafood Community, and
  • A rural Indigenous woman



In April-May 2006 we asked women “What three things could the Australian government do to make a real difference to the life of Rural Women and their Communities?”.
 
The impact of high fuel prices was the single item most mentioned by respondents.  In terms of general policy issues, 94 percent of women mentioned concerns about health services; 93 percent referred to some aspect of transport services (chiefly the lack thereof); and 89 percent were concerned about access to education.
In our April-May consultations, women identified as major concerns not only the price of petrol but also the lack of transport facilities within rural towns, between rural towns and between rural and regional centres.  Our August-September consultations allowed rural women to expand on the impacts of transport issues on their access to medical, educational and community facilities and services 
 
As a final stage of our consultations, the NRWC held a Transport Forum in Brisbane on 7 October 2006.  A detailed summary of the presentations given at the Forum - which covered topics such as how transport issues impact on health and well-being, and on access to education, as well as alternative fuels and the trucking industry - This comment can be found in Attachment 2 of the Transport Report.  Participants in the Forum considered possible solutions to the problems identified, including community action.
 
               Access our Transport Report here



The NRWC currently has funding from the Office for Women, in the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, for an education and training project to promote healthy and respectful relationships in rural communities and amongst young rural people.
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