Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Medical Research Future Fund at risk of being another Gonski

By Nadia Levin - posted Wednesday, 29 June 2016


While the implementation has slipped a year under the Coalition, and the budget is down slightly against the original positon in the forward estimates, we are encouraged from its recent statements that the Liberals and Nationals will work to keep the implementation on track.

The health and medical research sector has also welcomed positive sentiment about the MRFF from both Labor and The Greens, and hopes to see concrete announcements throughout the campaign about their proposed funding envelopes, mechanisms and timelines.

There are, of course, a myriad of different possible results from this election – on a seat by seat, party by party, and house by house basis – but Australia could do worse than have one of the results be a multi-party, funded and sustainable commitment to the Medical Research Future Fund.

Advertisement

The opportunity here is to form broad consensus that defends and future-proofs Australia's current health system and future health economy, and if we don't seize that opportunity, the fund is at risk of becoming a political football, or worse, a casualty.

Other countries are already reaping the benefits of initiatives such as the Wellcome Trust in the UK, which has funded billions of dollars' worth of medical research projects over the past years, and Australia needs to be there seizing similar life-saving, economy building opportunities.

Research Australia is an alliance of 160 health and medical research organisations, and on behalf of the sector we call on all parties to commit to the policy, to both agree to, and commit to, suitable funding mechanisms, and to make it happen.

Every year it is delayed is another year that promising research projects are delayed, and every dollar diverted from it is a dollar diverted from Australia's potential for new discoveries that save lives, improve quality of life, and form the basis of our future economy.

We can't let the politics of politics get in the way of the Medical Research Future Fund, and the promise of a healthier Australia. This is an initiative that is too important to fail.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

1 post so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Nadia Levin is CEO of Research Australia.

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 1 comment
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy