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Recommendations National Rural Women's Summit Canberra, 27-28 June 2008

Families and children

Develop a national family strategy focusing on contributing factors and end consequences of family breakdown and dysfunction.
Fund national mental health programmes to deliver appropriate, flexible and effective services to all Australian rural and remote communities.

Make childcare accessible to all Australian families by recognising and supporting flexible ways of providing quality child care in rural and remote communities.

Implement a national positive family relationships marketing campaign.

Implement integrated, co-ordinated interstate communications between government and community services regarding families at risk within appropriately responsive time frames.

Implement skills training for all service providers in inclusion and diversity.

Family violence and abuse preventative programmes such as relationship training, parenting programmes and mentoring addressing alcohol, drug & substance abuse with delivery through schools, workplace, community and sporting bodies.

Foster cultural change to recognise the real economic and social value of parenting.

Review “welfare to work” scheme with to allow flexible solutions in rural and remote communities.

Encourage flexible employment which acknowledges the value of parenting in our community through practices such as sustainable paid parenting leave.

Assess social costs of families separated due to work requirements.

Improve support structures for rural and remote families living with disabilities, particularly early intervention

Ensure availability of early childhood development programs across regional Australia

The administration of the baby bonus scheme be reviewed to ensure mother and child are provided with services appropriate to their needs.

Vocational training, skills development and workforce participation

All training models are underpinned by a Code of Conduct and ethics that maintains a set of standards for valuing cultural difference and diversity.
Extending and implanting an accreditation model to encourage capacity building that is culturally appropriate.
To ensure training providers have the skills to cater for different learning styles and capabilities and deliver flexible learning options.
- Online
- Home based
- Work based
- Adapatable schedules
Recognition of the importance and funding for coaching, mentoring, tutors and shadowing to ensure skills are implemented.
To acknowledge the importance of Recognised Prior Learning through the extension of the Victorian pilot ‘skills stores’ into an adopted national initiative
Training providers incorporate training needs analysis and skills gap audit, that recognises both individual and community needs.
Ensure continuation of funding for training programs which are consistent across states, eg current gap left by the removal of Farmbi$ and vet sector funding being more accessible to provide RTO.
Ensure that competency based assessment utilises alternative approaches to meet individual needs.
Improve communications strategy to be developed to enable community and individuals to access training – development of a register of training providers, mentors, volunteers or paid vocational training, skills development and workforce participation.
Ensure equity in access to learning and training through child care and carers initiative.
Invitation to obtain educators, coaches and mentors off all ages and cultural backgrounds.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Equality in remuneration of traditional work type choices and that of the predominantly male work type choices, eg hairdressing, beautician vs plumbing or building trades.
A national database of national training needs research

Representation in Decision Making

For each advisory board/ decision making body, coming up for reappointment or advice, all Ministers reject recommended nominations that have less than 30% female representation from this day forward and that there be a 10% increase every two years with the aim being a 50% minimum standard
That this also apply to selection committees.

Organisations seeking exemptions from 1. put a case for proportional representation first seek advice from the OfW who will consult their database. If this doesn’t resolve the issue that HREOC be consulted through the Office of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Annual reporting to be adopted by all government departments, agencies and boards on gender equity and representation issues

That a gender plan with national benchmarks be developed re gender inequity in leadership, employment representation (as per the disability equity plan). That this recognise gender diversity but also diversity among women.

That legislation be enacted to prevent sporting, community and school bodies from excluding women from leadership because they pay less fees or have differential categories of membership.

Support be provided to support women’s participation, through trael, child care etc.

Education

That as a matter of priority the gap be closed between educational outcomes for rural Australians (indigenous and non indigenous) and urban Australians
That the Federal Government support the development of a peak education alliance that results in improved:
- Coordination
- Collaboration
- Consolidation
- Communication

within the sector and across agencies and NGO’s at federal, state and local level

That the key roles of this peak body include but not be limited to:

Advocacy
Research
Engagement with all stakeholder groups

3. That the Federal Government, as a matter of priority, develop a Rural Education Strategy. This strategy will:

Build on assets in place - map what is (what works, what doesn’t) identify gaps
Provide evidence based strategies for the short, mid and long term
Provide clarity around priorities, timeframes, roles and responsibilities for outcomes in terms of:
- Structure
- Process
- Information and
- Implementation
Focus on issues including but not limited to:
- Access and affordability (transport, accommodation, HECS debt, inappropriate means testing)
- Basic literacy and numeracy for all Australians
- The need for compulsory education to be compulsory
- Inclusive education experiences that are innovative and flexible to local needs, while meeting national standards
- Building on the enormous capacity of rrr communities (not a deficit model)
- Resource provision that results in

- Attraction and retention of quality staff
- Appropriate infrastructure for flexible service delivery (e.g. telecommunications)

Young people

National Rural and Regional Young People’s Network that facilitates social, professional and community interaction through web-based interactive technology (ie. YARN) and local chapters.
Leadership initiatives:
1. Short-term, intensive annual national leadership course for young rural Australians that reflects the diverse demographic.
2. Affirmative action to secure places for young people on advisory boards / committees.
3. Mentoring, as in 3.
4. School programs are developed to support leadership and pathway opportunities.
Implement a National infrastructure for mentoring programs that are inclusive using a range of models to support social, career and leadership development
Pathways are explored and developed for young people to move into primary production and town-based enterprise and innovative ways for conducting farm business are created and supported.
Recommend that the current Government review drought policy with a specific focus on the impact of policies that affect young people. Eg. Interest rate subsidy for young people who have recently purchased land.
Non-means tested support (eg AUSTUDY/ABSTUDY) for post-secondary education for rural and remote students to ensure equity of access to tertiary education.
National promotion of agriculture as a career choice for all young people. A review of current eligibility criteria and effective flexible assistant for students pursuing agricultural studies.
A national review of school career services is conducted
That culturally appropriate education programs for the development of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are implemented and further resourced.

Community Building

Integrate a whole of government (Fed/State/Local) approach to future community consultation in order to enable the development and delivery of agreed community-based programs. Ensure that all such programs are transparent as to governance and accountability to the community

Establish a regional program grant scheme that compliments ‘caring for country’ to support social inclusion particularly communities with less capital capacity.

This program to incorporate evaluation of submissions based on need not on wordsmithing.

To further deliver programs to remote areas utilising ‘mobile’ service delivery models

To review current policies regarding NGO/Volunteer liability insurance to support community groups and volunteer activities.

Public liability for community organisations including non-litigation clause.

To support and encourage community leadership programs.

Ensure there is support for communities to be innovative and to participate in their economy.

To review tax legislation so that NGOs and community leadership programs achieve D.G.R. status

To review immigration legislation so that O/S trained doctors in areas of need have access to medicare and public education

Review 457 Visas to enable a more rural-based labour workforce

Enable communities that are disadvantaged (due to lack of human capital and skills) to access federal government programs specifically to access a range of skilled support and services

Encourage all public servants involved in policy delivery to visit and spend time with their communities of place and interest

Community hubs / one stop shops (similar to Canadian Model).

Health

A National rural and Remote health Plan which embraces established health priorities and ultilises evidence-based best practice for future directions, strategic planning involving health partners.
30% of the national Health budget should be spent in regional, rural and remote areas in keeping with population percentage.
Improve access to affordable transport particularly non emergency transport and accommodation for families. Accommodation and transport for indigenous families and families traveling away for maternity care need immediate attention. The senate enquiry into PATs recommendations should be actioned now
Rural and regional women’s health services should be continued and expanded taking into account the special needs of indigenous women, women living with disabilities, women requiring support dealing with domestic violence (prevention,counselling,refuge access and long term support),rural refugee women and women dealing with cancer (access to screening and treatment services)
Recognize the importance of and prioritize the availability of local access to acute care facilities and allied health support/aged care in rural and remote areas including holistic preventative health, health literacy (eg mental health first aid) mental health services, respite services, disability support and management of chronic disease.
Creative recruitment and ongoing community support of health professionals with commitment to rural and cultural context training programs
We expect community engagement and participation validated by Federal community services and funding guidelines to states should reflect best practice. We need insistence in review and maintenance of community engagement and input. Proper governance of rural community health needs to be embedded at a local level with responsibility for funding and delivery locally
Affordable dental care for rural residents-so important to the health of a community.
We advocate for government supported, locally delivered maternity services including antenatal screening and support, flexible midwifery options and post natal services including breastfeeding support.
We must build and advocate for successful rural models and generalize and replicate them. Successful models include multi disciplinary health teams and mobile outreach services such as breast screen

Other issues of great importance but not able to be addressed in terms of solutions due to time pressures.

Mental Health
Aged care and aging in place and respite services
Family planning services and sexually transmitted infections
Obesity
Incontinence
Disability services and diagnosis of childhood disorders with the need for services for diagnosis and early intervention
Chronic disease /Stress management/Alcohol/Smoking/Diabetes

Employment and Business

The government extend the visa trial for seasonal workers beyond the Pacific to include other nations, such as East Timorese

The government extend working holiday visas for backpackers to widen age range and nationality and to remove time restriction on individual work place tenure. Remove superannuation and reduce income tax levels for overseas itinerant workers.

The government delivers accessible and tax deductible childcare for rural businesses including primary producers

The government delivers Australia-wide digital communications access for business operation, training and marketing

The government to examine and review regulatory requirements for imported goods, including environmental standards and controls, to give comparability to Australian produced products

The government substantially increase apprentice incentives for employers and align to CPI

The government reintroduce FARMBI$ and extend the scope of professional advice and planning grants with online options

The government extend the Office for Women ‘pilot’ Young Women mentoring program across Australia

Increase the number of Small Business Field Officers to rural areas to assist development of micro and small businesses, management of statutory and legal requirements and training

The government streamline employment paperwork to reduce the impact on small and micro business and consistency and accuracy of information supplied by providers

Implement programs like the Food Processing in Regional Australia Program, broadening the business base to encourage industry and employment

The government review income tax policies and incentives to encourage decentralisation into rural areas

The government retain drought assistance for all affected properties and rural businesses with particular reference to allowing off farm/business assets

The government ensure retention of Export Market Development Grants

Climate Change, environment and water

IMMEDIATELY declare a national state of emergency for water guided by the principles of a ‘WAR CABINET’ including bi-partisan support, which addresses legislation issues, allocates resources and implements the best policies and programs with the best people;
Implement a national water plan (NOT JUST M-D BASIN), which includes initiatives such as a national riparian ‘LandBank’ program; a national program to retrofit all rural and urban households and facilities to reduce use of fresh water; a program to promote adoption of water recycling; mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating water use; and the establishment of water meters where water exits the rivers and aquifers.
Carry out a holistic environmental audit (including hyrologiocal research and complete carbon cycle studies) on rural and urban areas, which includes physical and social health indicators, undertaken from the ‘ground up’ before 2010;
Involve the agricultural industry in discussions and design of a national emissions trading scheme, based on a complete carbon cycle model appropriate to Australian conditions;
Engage with ‘keystone’ organisations (incl. farming systems groups) in regions to enable R&D for local adaption, training and capacity building, and facilitates local action;
Declare a social inclusion framework for all R&D organisations, universities, CSIRO, BoM, the national climate centre, the national centre for sustainability and others, as currently funded;
Establish a 5 year, consistent and integrated approach to funding programs for climate, environment and water, with the 4th year being a ‘transition’ year to new arrangements;
Declare a 5 year funding cycle for all R&D organisations without ignoring the necessity for seasonal short-term, flexible investment;
Recognise the environment and water as shared assets requiring an equity framework for future generations and the environment;
Support and facilitate the infrastructure necessary to continue to enable diversification of business to ensure efficiency of resource use and retention of human capital in rural communities;
Invest in capacity building and training
1. In decision making skills to enable a cooperative framework for future negotiations (recognising that these issues are polarised and have opposing views);
2. Of those delivering programs (CAPACITY BUILDING THE CAPACITY BUILDERS);
Implement a national water awareness, education and training program that increases understanding of the hydrological impact of, and water use of industries, communities and individuals and increases efficiency of water use (domestic and industry);
Instruct the Productivity Commission’s review of EC (for the Federal Minister of Agriculture), to include social inclusion principles;

Infrastructure, Transport and Telecommunications

TRANSPORT

Retain and increase the diesel fuel subsidy.

Fuel levy to be based per litre NOT per price.
Urgent research, development & implementation of alternative energy forms / fuels to reduce the cost of food / business etc.

Increase uniformity of, and simplify, transport and trucking documentation for cross-border transport operators.

Increase Mobility Allowance for people with disabilities in rural and remote Australia.

Federal Health Minister asks State Ministers to consider changes to patient transport schemes to fund patients returning from treatment and not just to treatment; also, not a $$ figure per week, but based on need. For example three times a week for dialysis or radiotherapy. (Refer Health recommendation 3.)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Develop a holistic telecommunications package for all Australians, using digital technology to deliver equitable, affordable and reliable access to broadband, mobile and landline, to enable safety, business, community sustainability. The package should also invest in maintenance and technical support to enable users to use the new technology.

Government ownership of basic telecommunications infrastructure à creates economies of scale and guarantees equity (should be considered an essential service). In private ownership, upgrading ageing infrastructure in regional Australia is not profitable.

Invest in new satellites to enable digital technology.

Ensure ongoing funding for the National Relay Service and ensure it delivers to rural and regional Australia.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Reinvest in a community infrastructure program (like Regional Partnerships) with a transparent process.

Expand the solar subsidy to all businesses.

Consider community housing investment (based on WA model) to provide affordable housing in high cost areas, to increase employment – based on access for people with disabilities and ageing in place.

Strengthen partnerships with local government to maintain regional air strip and on-ground support and airport facilities needed for RFDS health / safety.

NEW TOPICS ADDED (FROM THE FLOOR)

Subtitling of TV programs should be available in all areas of Australia.
Infrastructure Australia could initiate a round of rural consultations.
Public transport availability in rural localities.
Investigate the impact of road trains on small villages and hamlets’ road surfaces.
Include transport occupations on skills shortages lists.
Connect Australia must be rolled out.
Transport hubs should be established in regional centres.