Call for continued investment in health research

The 2009–10 Budget is an opportunity to use health and medical research as a national stimulus, creating highly skilled jobs and the knowledge we need to respond to health challenges.

Research Australia’s 2009–10 Budget Submission, 'Health and Medical Research — a stimulus to better health and economic growth', has been launched. The submission calls for continued investment in discovery and development of new treatments, therapies and services.

To meet the government’s objectives for better population health and reform of the health system, we need continued support for health and medical research. Accordingly, Research Australia recommended preserving funding for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) committed in the 2006–07 Budget and a further doubling of funding by 2014–15. The submission also recommends full funding for indirect research costs, improved conditions for postgraduate scholarships and the immediate replacement of the Commercial Ready program.

“Investing in health research not only stimulates the economy directly through new jobs, research projects and spin-off companies. It also keeps us healthy and active, which is critical for our long-term economic success,” said Research Australia CEO Rebecca James.

“We are pleased to see the Australian Medical Association also call for a doubling of NHMRC funding in their budget submission, particularly to support research into health services,” Ms James added.

“Better evidence to support the government’s agenda of health reform and improved prevention is critical. We need to know more about what policies and strategies work best in the real world.”

The Research Australia 2009–10 Budget Submission is available from www.researchaustralia.org.