Iaquinta et al. (1999), while focusing on the developing world, offer some questions pertinent to our contemplation of rural futures in Australia. From the time of presenting this paper to the seminar to its publication, a new Federal Government has taken office and rural Australia waits anxiously to see what impact the new Labor Government will have on rural policy, NRM governance and the general ageing of the population. In the meantime, the drought along the eastern seaboard has eased after widespread flooding, while drought continues to be declared in the northern half of the West Australian wheatbelt. Western Australia’s rural futures are still dependent on the current and continuing resources boom as the skills shortage in the agricultural sector becomes more acute. Australia’s rural futures remain unpredictable and vulnerable to the vagaries not only of climate variability, but to rural policies and demographic change.