Australia's first regional education commissioner has been appointed to improve outcomes for country students.
Former Nationals deputy leader Fiona Nash will fill the role, championing greater equity between regional and city education.
She says she will working with state and federal parliaments, the education sector and regional communities to break down barriers.
"We know there is a real disparity between city and country when it comes to outcomes for education," she said.
Poorer outcomes for country students
The new role has been created in the wake of a 2019 review spearheaded by former Victorian premier Denis Napthine.
It revealed regional Australians are less than half as likely to obtain a university degree by 35, compared to their metropolitan counterparts.
The report said this was due to a mixture of academic, geographic, social and financial challenges for country people.
Many regional students face additional costs, while others fear the "social dislocation" of relocating for studies.
Ms Nash said while her role was initially a three-year contract, she would be working with a long-term view.
"This is about looking at 2030," she said.
Pandemic challenges and opportunities
Her new role launches as the education sector reels in the wake of COVID-19.
Schools are still swinging in and out of remote learning, while regional universities continue to grapple with staff cuts.
With a boom in city dwellers moving to the regions during the pandemic, Ms Nash hoped this would bode well for education in country areas.
"As we grow stronger regional communities into the future, we will be able to provide better opportunities for people to be educated in and to stay in the regions," she said.
Independent voice
Ms Nash is no stranger to the education sector.
Since 2018, she has been the strategic adviser for regional engagement and government relations at Charles Sturt University.
And this year, she became a director of the New South Wales Skills Board.
Formerly a Nationals Senator, she assured she would be an independent voice.
"Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a political player," she said.
