$1.5 million boost for Queensland sport

Sport Minister Judy Spence today restored full base funding to Queensland’s peak sporting and recreation bodies with a $1.5 million funding boost.

Ms Spence said: “Before I became Sport Minister the Department cut funding to state sporting and recreation organisations for the funding period 2008-2010.

“They proposed further cuts for the next funding round in 2011.

“The rationale was to spread money across a greater number of sport and recreation activities.

“I’m overruling that decision. Full funding will be restored for this year and funding round, and the Department’s proposed future cuts won’t go ahead.

“Several of Queensland’s larger sports bodies have met with me and raised legitimate concerns about the reduction in funding.

“I have listened to their concerns and ultimately made the decision that the Government is in a position to reverse the Department’s funding cuts.

“What this means, is no sport and recreation organisation will have a reduction in its annual funding allocation.

“As of today, all sport and recreation bodies advised at the end of 2007 that their funding was cut, will revert to their previous funding levels.

“No organisation will be worse off. If an organisation had an increase in funding that will still stand.

“This is great news for all sport and recreation activities in Queensland.

“The increase in the Department of Sport and Recreation budget this year means that we can restore previous levels as well as maintain the level of funding to those organisations that received an increase.

“Today’s decision restores funding levels to a total of 48 sport and recreation organisations.”

“This increase represents a total of $767 000 this year alone, and a total of $1.5 million over the three years,” Ms Spence said.

Ms Spence said some of the larger sports to have their funding levels restored include Queensland Swimming Association, AFL Queensland, Football Queensland, Hockey Queensland, Queensland Athletic Association, Queensland Basketball, Queensland Cricket Association, Queensland Gymnastic Association, Queensland Netball Association, Queensland Rugby Football League and Queensland Touch Association.

“The Queensland Government’s contribution to sport and recreation is already larger than any other State.

”Today’s announcement is further evidence of the Bligh Government’s commitment to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.

“Sport at the grass roots plays a critical role in the health of our people and our communities, and we recognise that.

“This funding injection is also recognition of Queensland’s standing in Australian sport at the elite level.

“This funding will help keep Queensland as the benchmark for the rest of Australia,” Ms Spence said.

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