News Release

AAMRI welcomes Canberra's fresh commitment to medical research funding

Business Announcement

Research Australia

Professor Suzanne Cory, President and Prof. Garry Jennings, President-elect of AAMRI, have welcomed today's news from Minister Tony Abbott and Senator Nick Minchin that the Commonwealth government will increase funding for medical research in this year's budget as a result of the sale of Medibank Private.

Professor Jennings said, "AAMRI welcomes the decision to increase funding as part of the Government's response to the Grant Review. We look forward to the budget for further details, and hope that the recommendations of the Grant Review are implemented.

The Commonwealth government has made quite profound commitments within the last ten years to increasing the capabilities of Australian medical research for the ultimate benefit of improved health for all Australians. We hope that today's announcement will mean a further commitment to building on what we already have to strengthen our credentials for groundbreaking research in Australia."

The Grant Review, set up by the Government, in 2004 recommended significant increases in funding for health and medical research via the NHMRC.

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AAMRI represents 36 independent research institutes across Australia. The AAMRI member institutes are not-for-profit organizations, closely affiliated to hospitals and universities. Currently, AAMRI member institutes employ more than 4800 staff, train 1200 students in medical research and have an aggregate budget of over $250 million per year. Much of Australia's best health and medical research is carried out in AAMRI member institutes.

For further information, contact Julie Mercer, +61 393 452 520


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