Here's the latest article from the Deafness site at BellaOnline.com. The formation of sign language, regardless of origin and country, came about through advertisity. So the development of Auslan has similarities to the development of ASL or BSL.

History of Auslan - Australian Sign Language
Deaf Communities were formed as a result of adversity and alienation – a necessity for a group of people who were branded with a stigma who were ostracised and isolated from the world into which they were born. It was from this that their rich language was developed.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art2586.asp

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