Department of Health’s budget ‘outcome 10’ commits to increasing Australian’s participation in sport

A budget statement issued by the Federal Department of Health has expressed an aim “to increase participation in sport and recreation activities … and foster excellence in Australia’s high-performance athletes.”

‘Outcome 10’ in the 2014/15 Health Portfolio Budget Statements highlights the Federal Government’s commitment to grassroots sport and recreation, stating in its first line that “the Australian Government, through Outcome 10, aims to increase participation in sport and recreation activities by all Australians.”

Issued in the wake of the 2014/15 Federal budget, the Health Portfolio Budget Statements have been produced to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the Health portfolio.

Outcome 10 goes on to state “in 2012, 65% of adults aged over 15 years and 60% of children aged five to 14 years participated in sport and physical recreation (and) the Department will work closely with States and Territories, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and national sporting organisations to develop initiatives to encourage increased participation in sport and physical activity by all Australians.”

Outcome 10 also expresses commitment to the new Sporting Schools initiative and major events, adding “the Department will coordinate the Australian Government’s involvement in the staging of major international sporting events held in Australia, including the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2015 and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

In addition for $158 of funding for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Department will also implement the Government’s commitment to reduce drowning around Australia, working with Surf Life Saving Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and AUSTSWIM.” This is a fulfillment of an election commitment made by Prime Minister Tony Abbott prior to the 2013 Federal election.

The Federal Government’s commitments have been welcomed by the sporting goods sector.

Australian Sporting Goods Association Executive Director Shannon Walker stated “ASGA looks forward to working with the Federal Government to implement its sports policies and priorities and to improve the economic landscape to assist the sporting goods sector.”

Click here to view Outcome 10: Sport and Recreation on the Department of Health website.

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