Media Release 1 May 2024
RESEARCH AUSTRALIA WELCOMES MEDICAL RESEARCH COMMITMENT
The Albanese Government’s commitment to medical research today is a critical step towards underwriting the health and economic outcomes that Australians want and deserve.
Research Australia CEO Nadia Levin today welcomed the announcement, and in particular the National Strategy for Health and Medical Research which the organisation has long called for.
“Medical research is the path to a healthy Australian population and a healthy Australian economy, and today’s commitment is a critical step,” Ms Levin said.
“Health and medical research represents 23 per cent of Australian R&D activity and it needs and deserves a coordinated strategy to focus and target it.
“A strategic, national approach will guide discoveries faster to market and to the Australians who want the best possible health care – all imperative for a healthy, wealthy future.
“We look forward to working with Minister Butler to progress the National Health and Medical Research Strategy.”
Ms Levin said that the next step the Australian Government could take would be to fully utilise the funds available from the Medical Research Future Fund.
“As Australia’s peak health and medical research body, we’re pleased to see the Medical Research Future Fund supporting new missions in low survival cancers and a focus on reducing health inequities,” she said.
“The next thing the Government could do is ensure all of the available MRFF funding is flowing through to researchers.”
The Future Fund Board of Guardians determined $973 million was available for grants through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for the 2024-25 financial year, however the Federal Government has so far only budgeted for $650 million to be disbursed.
It follows 2023-24 when $870 million was available but funding actual funding was still capped at $650 million.
“The health and medical research sector has abundant capacity to immediately use every available dollar of research funding, with worthy projects and medical advances ready to be made,” Ms Levin said.
“The more we invest in medical research the better the health, policy and economic outcomes for Australia in the years to come.”
As the peak national body for health and medical research and innovation, Research Australia played a key role in the establishment of the MRFF.
Media contact: Jack Douglas 0450 115 005
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