During the election campaign, the National Rural Health Alliance released its
Election Charter 2010. The metropolitan media paid little attention to this document and its proposed 10 key priorities to address rural health problems. Top of the list was the priority to improve the sustainability of rural communities; other top priorities included equity in funding, improvements to primary care services, workforce development and improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples. With some of the rurally based Independent MPs
reportedly citing health services in the bush as a priority, the issue of rural health services may gain national prominence.
