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Rural Australians have traditionally participated in education and training to a lesser degree than their metropolitan counterparts. Low population densities, widely disparate population and growth rates, economic and environmental diversity, and sheer distance, makes it difficult for many people to get access to education and training outside the capital cities. This is a major concern for the Federal Government. The Government believes that those people should be able to be fully involved in the wide range of education and training opportunities available. The Federal Government is also keen to enhance the skills base of our primary industries. The basis of the Federal Government's approach to rural education and training is two-fold: (1) to ensure that broad-based education and training initiatives are appropriate and effective in non-metropolitan areas; and (2) to target specific initiatives directly at particular problems faced by rural Australians. The Labor Government has made consistent efforts during its term in office to make its education and training initiatives sensitive to the needs of rural Australians. This strategy demonstrates our continuing commitment to improve rural Australians' access to education and training in years to come.