Negotiated policy spaces: Identifying tensions for rural professionals in delivering their statutory responsbilities
Published 25th March 2016
Authors: Paula Jervis- Tracey, Donna McAuliffe, Helen Klieve, Lesley Chenoweth, Barrie O'Connor, Daniela Stehlik
ABSTRACT- This paper provides a deeper understanding of the nature of tensions in work-life balance for professionals with statutory responsibilities living in the rural and remote communities they serve. Both
qualitative and quantitative methods are used to map the terrain of rural and remote statutory work and
to investigate the nature of the relationships among professionals and between them and their local
communities. Responses to an online survey involving 801 practitioners from a range of professional
disciplines such as police, teachers, social workers, medical practitioners, nurses, paramedics and other
professions are analysed. At the time of the survey, 612 of the participants (76%) lived within a rural or
remote area, and 22% had graduated within the previous 5 years. The majority (69%) worked in some
capacity within the State Government, 5% in private practice and 12% in Non-Government Organisations
(NGOs). The discussion in this paper allows a greater awareness not only of constraints on the effec-
tiveness with which legislative requirements can be implemented in such settings, but also of multi-
disciplinary perspective can assist in addressing issues faced by all professional groups.
Authors
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