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.
