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the australian farmer
communities. If we are serious about building a vibrant and vi- able Australia - and about creating policies, deci- sions, and industries that work for all Australians – we must ensure rural perspectives are genuinely at the table. This “outback” demographic, like their metropolitan “cousins”, are mums, dads, business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, vol- unteers, and good citizens too with ideas, opinions and wisdom that should be heard. By including these voices from leaders across regional and rural Australia, organisations and governments can make smarter, more informed choices, and deliver outcomes that truly reflect the real experiences and opportunities across the country. Geographic diversity isn’t just fair - it’s strategic. Julia Spicer OAM is the co-founder of The Connection Table. Julia is past Queensland Chief Entrepreneur. In 2018, she was one of The Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence. In 2017, Julia won the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote business owner of the year award.
Earlier this year, I spoke about this on ABC’s radio program Life Matters, in relation to the coalition’s brief split. I emphasised that because not all coun- try voters vote for the Nationals, there is a real need to better understand and value geographic divers- ity - not just in politics, but at every decision-mak- ing table. The regions are more than agriculture and mining. We’ve become well-versed in the importance of cultural and diversity in workplaces. Yet, ironically, geographic diversity is often left off the map when governments design their strategies. This is a ser- ious oversight. Rural Australians bring a depth of perspective that simply can’t be replicated in city offices – and they are far from a single voice. Cotton farmers along the Murray-Darling Basin have differ- ent priorities from cattle graziers in Central Queens- land, and towns just 20 kilometres apart can face entirely different challenges. Whether it’s on boards, in government, or in corporate strategy meetings, geographic divers- ity needs to be represented so that decisions re- flect the full spectrum of experiences, needs, and opportunities across regional, rural, and remote
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