Published on: 11th March 2026
10 March 2026. Deaf Australians may soon lose access to the nation’s only news bulletin delivered in Auslan (Australian Sign Language), according to Deaf Connect Chief Services Officer, Brent Phillips.
The organisation is calling upon the Federal Government to provide much-needed funding for the Auslan90 news service, which, without investment, will conclude in its pilot form on 30 June this year.
Deaf Connect representatives including CEO Brett Casey, Chief Services Officer Brent Phillips and members of the Auslan90 team, are attending Parliament House this week to provide briefs on the program’s impact and the urgent need for continued funding to secure its long-term future.
Deaf Connect Chief Services Officer, Brent Phillip said that the organisation has lodged its pre-budget submission with the Federal Government, in the hopes of saving 30,000 Deaf Australians from losing access to news in their first language.
“Auslan90 fills a longstanding gap in Australia’s media landscape by providing Deaf Australians with direct access to timely, independent, public-interest journalism in Auslan. The Federal Government already funds news in over 60 spoken languages – the same principle should apply to Auslan users,” Mr Phillips said.
“Each weekday, a nationally distributed Auslan video bulletin is produced covering key headlines from the previous 24-hour news cycle, complemented by weekly in-depth analysis on a range of core national and international topics.
“Without a commitment from the Federal Government, Deaf Australians will once again be excluded from the daily cycle of current affairs and crucial issues that shape their participation as equal members of society.”
Mr Phillips said Auslan90 has already reached more than 300,000 Australians since its inception in September 2024.
“Funded initially through the Commonwealth Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program, our Deaf-led newsroom has produced 429 Auslan news bulletins in total since 2024.”
“Independent modelling shows Auslan90 generates $3.47 million in combined economic and social value each year – an estimated 5.3 to 1 return on investment. That value comes through employment, productivity, improved information access, and broader public benefit. It is a modest investment with measurable and significant national impact.”
Mr Phillips stated that ongoing funding would align directly with national Government priorities in accessibility, media diversity, and equitable access to public information.
“By securing Auslan90, the Government has the opportunity to embed accessible journalism as a permanent feature of Australia’s media landscape,” he said.
“It ensures Deaf Australians remain informed, represented and included in the national conversation, while recognising Auslan as a valued and integral part of Australia’s linguistic and cultural identity. This is an opportunity to lead and protect a service already delivering exceptional results.
Auslan90 is delivered by Deaf Connect in partnership with SBS and is funded by the Federal Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Deaf Connect remains open to bipartisan support to ensure the program’s continuation into the future.
ENDS
Media Opportunities:
For all media enquiries contact: Gabrielle Strosberg, Deaf Connect External Communications Specialist: [email protected] or 0428 071 733
Deaf Connect CEO Brett Casey and CSO Brent Phillips are available to be interviewed and provide comments. Deaf Connect offers interpreting for Auslan representation across all media.
ABOUT DEAF CONNECT
Deaf Connect is a national not-for-profit organisation for Deaf Australians and those who communicate in Auslan (Australian Sign language). The organisation’s mission is to stand with Deaf Australians, build capacity and influence social change.
Deaf Connect is Australia’s largest employer of Deaf people and a national leader in Auslan interpreting and sign language education through its Registered Training Organisation (RTO Provider Number 41192). Deaf Connect’s work is supported by fundraising generated through the Deaf Lottery.
