The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) welcomes the release of the Second Edition National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services, which reaffirms the criti­cal role of Rural Generalists in delivering safe, high-quality mater­nity care across rural, remote communities.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says Rural Generalists are uniquely trained to provide comprehensive maternity care, in­cluding antenatal and postnatal services, planned deliveries, and emergency obstetrics.

“Rural Generalists are vital members and leaders of multidiscipli­nary rural maternity teams, working alongside midwives and other health professionals to ensure women can receive care within their communities,” Dr Martin says. “This not only improves outcomes but reduces the emotional and financial strain of travelling long distances for birthing and pre and antenatal care.”

Dr Martin says the ongoing closure and downgrading of rural maternity services is deeply concerning. “Every closure reduces access to affordable, timely care and puts the safety of mothers and babies at risk. Properly supported, integrated models that in­clude Rural Generalists with advanced obstetrics, anaesthetics, and paediatrics skills, can sustainably deliver care to the highest standards.

“The Framework offers a roadmap for evidence-based, cost-ef­fective locally led maternity care and calls for genuine investment and infrastructure to bring it to life. I commend all those who con­tributed to the development of this Second Edition National Con­sensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services.

“ACRRM looks forward to working with the review stakeholders and governments to ensure the Framework leads to real, lasting improvements for rural, remote and First Nations families.”

The latest NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) quarterly up­date reveals domestic violence assaults in regional parts of NSW have risen to even more alarming levels.

In the March 2025 quarterly report, do­mestic violence-related assaults increased by 3.6%, with rises recorded in 8 of 13 Regional NSW areas and 3 of 15 Greater Sydney locations. In some areas, the rate of violent crime is more than double the state average.

Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said the latest report gave a sobering re­minder of the reality of domestic violence in NSW.

“The lack of decisive action from the NSW Labor Government is leaving victims in regional communities vulnerable and al­lowing domestic violence incidents to in­crease,” Mr Toole said.

“We cannot continue to have innocent lives lost or permanently affected by acts of violence in their own homes.

“The cries from the bush are going unan­swered by this city centric government and this cannot go on.”

In 2024, the NSW Police Force attended 152,268 domestic and family violence inci­dents equating to on average NSW Police officers responding to 560 domestic and family violence incidents each day.