Welcoming the reappointment of Minister Ley and new Turnbull Ministry

Statement by Professor Vlado Perkovic, Executive Director, The George Institute Australia:

The George Institute for Global Health welcomes the reappointment of Minister Ley as Minister for Health and Aged Care, Minister for Sport.  

We appreciate Minister Ley’s support for medical research, which has a key role to play in delivering better healthcare and improving health for all Australians, and her openness to new ideas and approaches. We look forward to continuing to work with her and the Turnbull Ministry on policies to shape the future of healthcare in Australia, and to see through the important initiatives that have been commenced over recent years.

Reforms underway such as the MBS Review and the Health Care Home trials are a welcome start in the fight against the scourge of chronic disease and injury, and the tremendous burden these place on our health system. Innovation in our approach is key to better health - through prevention, healthcare delivery and whole system improvements -  so we can create a quality, sustainable health system able to meet the growing demand of complex and chronic conditions. More than ever before, investment that is targeted into implementing proven treatments that will result in the best outcomes for as many Australians as possible is fundamental to Australia’s health and research agenda. 

The landmark Medical Research Future Fund is another urgently needed initiative that promises to target research spend where the need is greatest; to prevent and treat our biggest killers and causes of disability; and to bolster Australia’s rich tradition of world leading advances in health and medicine. We commend the Government on this initiative and look forward to seeing its implementation over the coming year, for the benefit of all Australians. 

The George Institute also congratulates The Hon Ken Wyatt  MP as the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care. We also congratulate The Hon Greg Hunt MP on his appointment as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, and Dr David Gillespie as Minister for Rural Health.