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Health and medical research is influenced by policy decisions at all levels of government, as well as in organisations such as universities, hospitals and research institutions.
For this reason, Research Australia seeks to engage with policy makers to support more, better quality and higher impact health and medical research in Australia. Influencing government policy is important for achieving Research Australia’s goals of greater investment, capturing the benefits of research and optimising Australia’s global position.
This includes:
- Keeping track of government policies and priorities
- Developing submissions to government and parliamentary inquiries
- Representing the interests of the health and medical research sector in discussions with MPs, Cabinet Ministers and public servants.
2012
Legislative Definition of Charity - May 2012
Read the full submission paper
Research Australia Submission to the Strategic Review of Health & Medical Research in Australia (McKeon Review)
Read the full submission paper
Appendices to the submission
Media Release
Research Australia also co-signed a letter with other sector associations (Australian Society for Medical Research, Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association and Universities Australia). Read the letter here
Research Australia Submission to the Consultation Paper: Federal Review of Not-for-Profit Governance, January 2012
Read the full submission paper.
Research Australia Sumission on the Exposure Draft of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission Bill, January 2012
Read the full submission paper here.
2011
Research Australia NSW Health & Medical Research Strategic Review Submission - Phase 3, November 2011
Read the full submission paper here.
Research Australia NSW Health & Medical Research Strategic Review Submission - Phase 2, September 2011
Read the full submission paper here.
Research Australia's First Round Submission to the NSW Health & Medical Research Strategic Review, August 2011
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Research Australia's submissionon the Draft Terms of Reference (forthcoming health and medical research review) July 2011
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Research Australia's submission to the Senate Committee inquiry into the Government's administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), July 2011
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NSW Election Commitments, March 2011
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Research Australia submits federal budget proposal for the 2011-2012 financial year
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2010
Response to Improving the integrity of public ancillary funds discussion paper, December 2010
Research Australia is pleased to provide a comment on the discussion paper, Improving the Integrity of Public Ancillary Funds (PuAFs). Research Australia is supportive of the principles and considerations generally outlined in the response submitted by Philanthropy Australia.
We are particularly concerned about the viability and sustainability of PuAF's that support health and medical research, the level of annual mandatory distributions and the inherent differences between PAF and PuAF's that may not be fully appreciated in the approach of this review.
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Inquiry into Australia's international research collaboration: Report
On Tuesday, 22 June 2010, the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation tabled its report on the Inquiry into Australia's international research collaboration. Research Australia contributed to this committee through a submission and appearing at the Standing Committee. The report makes several references to Research Australia’s perspective. Find out more
Research Workforce Strategy
The Department of Innovation, Industry Science and Research has now completed its consultation of stakeholders in relation to their Research Workforce Strategy. Research Australia provided a submission to this consultation exercise. An overview of the issues and submissions can be found athttp://www.innovation.gov.au/Section/Research/Pages/ResearchWorkforceIssues.aspx
"Meeting Australia's Workforce needs - Research Australia's Submission, August 2010. Research Australia as a member organisation considers the scope of the workforce strategy should be relevant to public and private sector workforce including the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industry, independent medical research organisations and universities. The research workforce represents a wide range of roles including research coordinators and managers, clinical trial recruiters, principal researchers, grant writers, ethics committeemembers, engineers, laboratory assistants, statisticians, economists, data managers, clinicians, trainers, public relations managers and wide variety of staff who are not mentioned in the strategy paper. This wide variety of staff is integral to a highly functioning effective researchindustry. Download Research Australia's Submission "Meeting Australia's Research Workforce Needs", August 2010
Meeting Australia's Workforce needs - Research Australia's Submission, August 2010
Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr released a consultation paper on a strategy to focus discussion and generate ideas. Through this the Australian Government is working to give Australia the research firepower it needs to prosper in a rapidly changing world by developing a Research Workforce Strategy for the next decade and beyond. Download Meeting Australia’s research workforce needs: a consultation paper to inform the development of the Australian Government’s research workforce strategy
Research Australia as a member organisation considers the scope of the workforce strategy should be relevant to public and private sector workforce including the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industry, independent medical research organisations and universities. The research workforce represents a wide range of roles including research coordinators and managers, clinical trial recruiters, principal researchers, grant writers, ethics committeemembers, engineers, laboratory assistants, statisticians, economists, data managers, clinicians, trainers, public relations managers and wide variety of staff who are not mentioned in the strategy paper. This wide variety of staff is integral to a highly functioning effective researchindustry. Download Research Australia's Submission "Meeting Australia's Workforce Needs", August 2010
Vital Research for a Vital Australia: Health and Medical Research Federal Election Policy Proposal, August 2010
The policy includes a six point plan that calls for a commitment to a 4% increase in funding for the National Health and Medical Research Council (in real terms) from 2011 ($500m), a $100 m package to support clinical research as part of the health reform package, a new Innovation and Technologies Fund to aid commercialization of Australian discoveries, and a national consultation to develop a Ten Year Strategic Health and Medical Research Plan for Australia. Download report.
Inquiry into Australia's International research collaboration: Report - June 2010
On Tuesday, 22 June 2010, the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation tabled its report on the Inquiry into Australia's international research collaboration. Research Australia contributed to this committee through a submission and appearing at the Standing Committee. The report makes several references to Research Australia’s perspective. Find out more
Statement to House of Representatives Standing Committee Science and Innovation Committee, 9 April 2010
Research Australia's Collaborative Research Networks Submission, March 2010. The CRN provides a unique opportunity to focus on excellence and to build research capacity not only within the education and innovation context, but also within the realm of health reform,
health workforce education and training, and preventive health. In this submission we comment on eligibility and program scope, with a proposal for a lighthouse pilot project, that targets university collaboration in urban and rural settings.
Research Australia's response to Federal Announcement on health reform, 4 March 2010
Research Australia Response to International Research Engagement Submission, February 2010.
This Senate inquiry provides a valuable exercise in collecting information on Australia’s international collaboration efforts. It does however highlight the lack of strategic knowledge of what is happening within this sphere and reinforces the timeliness of undertaking a strategic assessment of where Australia’s international collaboration efforts should lie. A major question we raise is how can Australia engage with international partners in order to generate national social and economic benefits to Australia and the world. What contribution can Australian research make to improve global health? How can we build on existing investment in knowledge, people and infrastructure to realise our full research and development potential? International Research Engagement Submission. Statement to House of Representatives Standing Committee Science and Innovation Committee, 9 April 2010
Research Australia Clinical Trials Action Submission, February 2010
Clinical trials are a major part of the medical research environment. Despite being a multimillion dollar industry that creates considerable employment, the current state of the clinical trials
industry is disparate within the wider health and medical research sector with a lack of national coordination or ‘speaking with one voice’.
This paper provides a systems overview. We identify the need to bring together a loosely connected often uncoordinated set of activities that work concurrently without a clear overarching governance structure.
Clinical Trial Submission
2009
Health Research Alliance Joint Statement - December 2009
Research Australia calls on government to support the best possible health outcomes for all Australians through targeted research, workforce development, and service integration, Health Research Alliance Joint Statement, December 2009
A Healthier Future for all Australians
Research Australia Submission - National Health and Hospital Reform Commission report "A Healthier Future for All Australians", June 2009. Submitted December 2009. Download submission
National Health and Medical Research Council Strategy and Public Health Research - September 2009
Research Australia Submission - Draft National Health and Medical Research Council Strategy for Medical Research and Public Health Research, September 2009
In this submission we acknowledge the important role of the NHMRC in leading research to address key research and health issues identified by government in the context of health reform. Download Research Australia Submission (PDF 218KB)
National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission - Research Australia Summary of Recommendations - July 2009
National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission - Research Australia Summary of recommendations and government response (July 2009). Download summary (PDF 58KB)
Government Innovation White paper - June 2009
The Federal Government has recently produced a policy framework to guide the development of Australia’s innovation system over the next ten years to address Australia’s fall from fifth to eighteenth in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index.
The white paper titled Powering Ideas - An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century responds to the recommendations of Venturous Australia — Building Strength in Innovation: Review of the National Innovation System and also draws from a range of research, industry and educations reviews of recent years. The framework has informed the 2009-10 budget allocation to Australian science and innovation including a $3 billion boost in funding over the next four years. The paper emphasises that innovation, which is vital to initiating new pathways to prosperity for Australia, requires a system that offers an unbroken path from vision to realisation. It makes clear that “too many Australian inventions and discoveries end up being commercialised overseas, where the value they create is captured by others. This costs Australia jobs and wealth, and denies us the chance to build new industries”.
Seven equally important national innovation priorities, which complement the national research priorities, have been adopted to focus on the production, diffusion and application of new knowledge. Download PDF (23KB)
2009-10 Budget Summary
Research Australia has prepared a summary of the latest 2009-2010 Federal Budget and the impacts on the Health and Medical Research Sectors. Download Research Australia Budget Summary (PDF 67KB).
2009-10 Budget Submission - Health and Medical Research - a stimulus to better health and economic growth - February 2009
Research Australia's 2009-10 Budget submission calls on the government to make a strong commitment to health and medical research. Research Australia believes that health and medical research, as a sector of national strength, needs to be supported and promoted to help drive our economic recovery and wellbeing into the future. Direct government investment in health and medical research will build social and economic infrastructure that is vital to continued national growth.
Download Research Australia 2009-10 Budget Submission - Health and Medical Research - a stimulus to better health and economic growth – February 2009 (PDF, 52KB)
Response to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Interim Report - March 2009
Research Australia endorses the NHHRC Report recommendations for priority to be given to health services research and collaboration between researchers and health professionals, including support for indirect costs and collaborative research centres.
Download Response to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Interim Report - March 2009 (PDF, 48KB)
Response to Treasury discussion paper on Prescribed Private Funds - January 2009
Research Australia supports Prescribed Private Funds (PPFs) as a vehicle to attract more funding to health and medical research. Research Australia supports the intent of the proposed amendments in improving certainty, transparency and efficiency, as well as ensuring that the philanthropic purpose of PPFs is achieved. The challenge is to make changes in such a way as to not discourage potential philanthropists through onerous reporting, or inflexible requirements that detract from the attractiveness of PPFs.
Download a summary of Research Australia's response to Treasury discussion paper on Prescribed Private Funds - January 2009 here
2008
"Better Research, Better Health": A summary of Research Australia's recent policy submissions - August 2008
Research Australia has continued to promote the needs of the health and medical research community to government. Over the course of 2008, Research Australia has made submissions to a number of major government inquiries including those considering the innovation system, the health and hospitals system, research training and higher education. This paper summarises the major recommendations from Research Australia's policy submissions.
Download a summary of Research Australia's recent policy submissions "Better research, better health"
National Preventative Health Taskforce - Research Australia submission - December 2008
Preventative health is a key priority for addressing the growing burden of chronic disease. As a national alliance to make health and medical research a higher national priority, we are aware of the evidence base for prevention and the need for both immediate action and continued research.
Download the National Preventative Health Taskforce - Research Australia submission here
The future of health research, translation and training: Follow-up on the Australia 2020 Summit - August 2008
The Australia 2020 Summit, held in Canberra on 19 and 20 April 2008, included a stream looking at "Health Research, Research Translation and Research Training" and participants proposed "Big Ideas" that could lead to improvements. This paper considers these ideas and how best to progress the 2020 agenda for health and medical research.
Download The future of health research, translation and training: Follow-up on the Australia 2020 Summit here
Higher Education Review - Research Australia submission - July 2008
Research Australia considers that the multiple roles of the higher education sector in training, research and knowledge transfer are appropriate and reinforce each other. These activities should be promoted in all Australian universities, allowing each institution to specialise and develop unique areas of strength. Adequate funding through grants and block funding are necessary to allow this to occur.
Download the Higher Education Review - Research Australia submission here
Research Australia Submission - Inquiry into Research Training and Research Workforce Issues in Australian Universities - June 2008
Australia’s excellence in health and medical research is dependent on the skills of our researchers. To ensure that we continue to make new discoveries that improve our health and wellbeing, we need to be training a high-quality new generation of researchers.
Download the Inquiry into Research Training and Research Workforce Australian Universities Submission here
Commonwealth Innovation Review: Research Australia Supplementary Submission - June 2008
Research Australia is concerned that the termination of Commercial Ready will exacerbate the "commercialisation gap" present in the Australian innovation system. Replacing the program as early as possible, either with a re-focused version of Commercial Ready or with a new commercialisation program, is critical for Australian companies.
Download the Commonwealth Innovation Review: Research Australia Supplementary Submission here
National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission - June 2008
Health and medical research has the potential to deliver substantial improvements in the prevention, treatment and management of illness, as well as improved approaches to health service delivery and health policy decision-making. Funding gaps in health services research and research infrastructure, as well as the integration of evidence into health care, are barriers to this potential being fulfilled.
Research Australia considers that more work needs to be done on translating our understanding of the causes and drivers of obesity into better and healthier lifestyles. This will involve a greater understanding of behavioural change and the most effective strategies. It will take better community education to address misconceptions about diet and lifestyle.
Download Research Australia's Inquiry into Obesity Submission - April 2008
Commonwealth Innovation Review: Research Australia Submission - April 2008
Research Australia considers that innovation, and a fully functioning National Innovation System, will promote Australia’s capacity to deliver improvements in material and social wellbeing.
An extremely important aspect of the innovation system is health and medical research (HMR). Not only is HMR proven to be effective in improving the length and quality of life, it has resulted in treatments that improve workforce productivity and increase the pool of workers able to drive the economy. HMR is also closely connected to the global medical technology sector, a knowledge-intensive industry capable of delivering well-paid jobs and profitable businesses to Australia.
Download Research Australia's Commonwealth Innovation Review Submission - April 2008
Australia 2020: Future Directions for the Australian Economy – Education, skills, training, innovation and productivity
Australia has a unique opportunity to grow its involvement in a global industry based on advanced skills and technology – medical technology, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices. Our pre-existing strength in health and medical research provides the ability to capture a greater share of this multi-billion dollar industry.
Download Australia 2020 Future Directions Submission - April 2008
Australia 2020: A long-term national health strategy
The challenges of an ageing population and increasing issues of chronic disease make a forward-thinking health policy crucial to our nation. Australia should aim for a health system based on equity, access and quality, along with the application of new knowledge to prevent and treat disease effectively.
Download Australia 2020: A long-term national health strategy - April 2008 Submission
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