The Telethon Kids Institute has welcomed the Federal Government's commitment to a Medical Research Future Fund to improve the long term health and wellbeing of all Australians.
Telethon Kids Director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, said the fund would provide a strong base for the sector.
"While there is no doubt that we are in tough economic times, an investment in medical research is something that brings benefits to all people of all ages." Professor Carapetis said,
"Our challenge is to deliver high quality research that makes the health system more efficient and importantly brings real improvements to the health and wellbeing of Australians."
The Medical Research Future Fund will grow to $20 Billion by 2020. Dividends from the fund are expected to effectively double the government's investment in medical research to $2 Billion by 2023.
Professor Carapetis said the Telethon Kids Institute was committed to research that addresses the major childhood issues and translating the results into real outcomes for the community.
"We know that many aspects of disease and disadvantage, even those that affect us in adulthood, have their origins in the early years of life. This long term investment in research has the potential to pay huge dividends over the life span and we commend the government for its vision in this area."
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About the Telethon Kids Institute
The Telethon Kids Institute's vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of children through excellence in research. With cutting edge facilities in Perth, Western Australia, it is home to more than 500 researchers and staff.