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Budget provides seed of optimism for health
11 May 2011 - “The decision not to cut health research funding in the Budget, combined with a undertake a strategic review, will reassure researchers and the concerns are taken seriously,” said Rebecca James, Chief Executive of Research Australia.
Funding for research through the National Health and Medic protected from cuts and will increase from $715m. The announcement of a government review into health and medical research is a timely response to Research Australia’s calls for a national co Strategic Plan for Australian health and medical research.
The renewed commitment to research supports a stronger alignment of research with the community’s broader priorities on health, particularly in a quality health care.
The budget also makes provision for the long awaited R&D Tax Credit incentives, subject to legislative approval by the Senate, and essential to support Australian discoveries in science.
We now have the opportunity to build a longer term vision to strengthen Australia’s research capacity to address major priorities such as rising rates of chronic disease, population ageing and workplace productivity.
The government has responded to the outpouring of community support for health and medical research by preserving its funding commitments for 2011.
Research Australia congratulates the Prime Minister, Hon. Julia Gillard, and Hon. Mark Butler, the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, responsible for research, for their support in the Budget.
