Response to the Medical Research Future Fund strategy and priorities

Statement from Executive Director, The George Institute Australia, Professor Vlado Perkovic in response to the announcement of the Medical Research Future Fund strategy and priorities.

“The George Institute welcomes the MRFF strategy and priorities announced tonight by the Turnbull Government.  

The MRFF is a landmark in our nation’s incredible tradition of medical and health research and has potential to transform healthcare as we know it. The announcement today is the most important step in improving the health of Australians since the announcement of the first NHMRC research funding several decades ago. The benefits will undoubtedly be equally profound.

Health systems globally are facing the crippling impact of chronic and complex conditions, and preventable injury. We as a nation have a responsibility to our children, families, communities, and to the rest of the world, to tap into our incredible health and research talent, roll up our sleeves and find the best ways to prevent and treat these conditions and create a 21st century, patient-centred health system.

The MRFF will make our job easier. The targeted and priority-driven investment gives means we can have real impact, sooner rather than later, on the health outcomes of our nation and the world.

The investment in clinical trials will mean that Australians will have faster access to better and new lifesaving treatments and medicines, as well as strengthening our position as a global leader in research. It’s also heartening to see the focus on health services research which will ensure that these treatments are provided in the real world in the most effective way. This will be further facilitated by the investment in clinician researchers, who are uniquely placed to identify and implement opportunities for better care.

With increasingly precious health and research dollars, the MRFF will ensure we can invest where the need is greatest; bolster critical collaboration across the sector and healthcare innovation; and nurture some of the world’s brightest scientific minds, today and in the future.

We also commend the Government on its steadfast commitment and extensive consultation across the sector to get the MRFF strategy and priorities right, and are pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to these. In an increasingly uncertain world, this investment in the health and wellbeing of Australians will reap rich rewards for the country.”

Read the Medical Research Future Fund strategy and priorities.