The summit was an election commitment of the Labor Government which promised to strengthen the voice of rural women in shaping rural and regional policy.

Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, said the Summit brings together a diverse group of amazing women, from a cheese maker in Tasmania, to a

wine maker from Margaret River, an exporter of yabbies from Kukerin in Western Australia, a sugar

producer from Mackay, and an Indigenous artist from Darwin.

More than eighty delegates from around Australia are participating in the Summit, led by a steering group of

representatives from key rural women's groups.

"The Australian Government is committed to developing and supporting women's leadership in every aspect

of Australian society, including in regional and rural Australia," Ms Plibersek said.

Issues to be discussed at the Summit include health, education, vocational training and workforce participation, building communities, families and children, business development, infrastructure and communications, climate change, issues affecting young people and women’s representation in decision making.

"The Summit will renew relationships between the Government and women from country areas, and give

rural women the chance to engage in the big policy debates of our time," Ms Plibersek said.

"The Summit will discuss the scope of issues important to rural and regional women, and determine

processes for addressing them.

"It is an opportunity for these women to have input into Government decision making, and to

voice the unique needs of women living and working in regional and rural Australia."