Last Friday I attended an event with representatives from Deaf Sports and Recreation Queensland to officially launch the Australian Sign Language Auslan in Sport DVD, which was funded by the Queensland government. The Auslan in Sport DVD has been specifically produced as a communication tool for Queensland’s athletes, coaches, teachers and administrators who have not previously worked with athletes who have a hearing impairment. Users will be able to view and learn basic Auslan which can then be applied during training and on the sporting field. Having these important basic skills will provide significant benefits to our deaf and hearing impaired athletes, can lead to overall increased participation in sport and recreation, and can lead to other flow-on benefits for our local clubs-not to mention for the sport and recreation industry as a whole.

We had the opportunity during the launch to watch our young deaf athletes who are the stars of the DVD showing us the Auslan signs for specific sports such as basketball and football. I congratulate them for being the fine role models that they are. As someone who is still learning sign language, I understand the hesitancy that some people have in communicating with deaf and hearing impaired people, but I would say to them that the more they practice the better they will become at Auslan and the easier it will be to communicate. So just keep trying.

The Bligh Labor government is a proud supporter of this excellent communication strategy, providing $33,000 to assist Deaf Sports and Recreation Queensland to complete the project. In fact, this Labor government is strongly committed to ensuring all Queenslanders have access to quality sport and recreation opportunities no matter where they live, their age or ability. That is why we cultivate partnerships across the sport and recreation industry with organisations such as Deaf Sports and Recreation Queensland.

In January this year, Minister Spence announced funding of $285,000 over the next three years to assist Deaf Sports and Recreation Queensland to improve organisational development across the state and to deliver participation opportunities and initiatives for deaf and hearing impaired students. Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland commits this government to making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people, and we will do this by ensuring Queenslanders have places and opportunities to lead healthy, active lifestyles.

I commend Deaf Sports and Recreation Queensland for continuing to develop and deliver valuable resources and initiatives, such as this DVD, that provide sport and recreation pathways for our deaf and hearing impaired athletes in Queensland.