National Rural Issues Committee

About NRIC

The National Rural Issues Committee (NRIC) is a management expert advisory committee that supports and advises the APA Board, via management, in relation to issues concerning physiotherapy in rural and remote Australia.

NRIC activities include:

• Raising awareness within the APA of the issues pertaining to rural and remote physiotherapy practice
• Raising awareness within the APA of health issues in rural and remote communities
• Providing advocacy and support mechanisms for rural and remote practitioners and practice
• Developing a body of knowledge and expertise on rural and remote health issues as these affect physiotherapy
• Establishing links, where appropriate, with other health organisations and networks to further the development of quality rural and remote health care practices in Australia.

NRIC Members

The NRIC comprises eight members of the Rural Members Network (RMN) — representing the states and the Northern Territory and the RMN National Advisory Council (NAC) Representative.

Petra Bovery-Spencer (Chair & Vic Rep) 
Kelly Gwynne (NSW Rep) 
Angela Dunsford (SA Rep)
Rob Curry (NT Rep & APA RMN Rep on National Rural Health Alliance)
Emma King (Tas Rep)
Leonie Rogers (RMN NAC Rep)
Annabel Wilson (Qld Rep)
Daniel Mahony (WA Rep)

NRIC Activities/ Resources

In addition to its advocacy, policy and advisory functions, NRIC has also drafted or contributed to a number of documents, including:

• APA Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Operation and Effectiveness of Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS)
• APA Position Statement on Sole Rural and Remote Physiotherapists
• APA Position Statement on Primary Health Care and Physiotherapy
• Background Paper: The Role of Physiotherapy in the Provision of Primary Health Care

Rural Members Network

The APA has a strong commitment to supporting rural and remote APA members, as demonstrated by a number of benefits, including:

• Automatic membership of the RMN
• 1300 phone number for the exclusive use of rural and remote members in each state/territory
• A quarterly Rural e-News bulletin
• Representation on the APA Board via the NRIC.

Useful Links

National Rural Health Alliance

SARRAH – Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health

AJRH – The Australian Journal of Rural Health

Rural and Remote Health

Contact Us

You can contact the National Rural Issues Committee at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it