Policy development in the rural sector: a personal perspective

Abstract

This paper presents an opinion of policy development in rural Australia. It holds that, in spite of encouraging steps that seek to involve the rural population in the development of relevant policy, centralised decision-making remains the norm. Although international developments around the issue of meeting the needs of target groups have been achieved—and are available to policy makers—an element of maintaining the familiar practice and efficiency of systems has limited the potential for the greater involvement of rural populations in decision-making.