Rural costs in spotlight

REPRESENTATIVES from as far away as the Kimberley and Alice Springs will gather for the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association annual federal conference in Brisbane next Wednesday and Thursday.

Association president Judy Newton said increasing financial pressure on rural families had resulted in a greater than usual number of motions being presented by branches this year.

They focus on such issues as the failure of the Assistance for Isolated Children allowance to keep pace with the cost of boarding and the huge impact that the lack of NBN access has on distance education.