The new Future Health and Research Innovation Fund will be transformative for health and medical research in Western Australia.
Welcoming the State Budget announcement, The Kids Research Institute Australia Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis said the Fund would cement WA’s position as an internationally competitive centre of research excellence.
“This fund will bring so many benefits to the whole community,” Professor Carapetis said. “It will provide funding for research to improve health and wellbeing in the areas that matter most to West Australians.
“Importantly, it will generate more jobs in our sector and enable us to not only keep our best and brightest right here in WA, but be competitive in attracting international research stars in what is a global market.
“Our recent recruitment of clinical scientist Professor Tobias Kollmann from Canada – an international leader in his field -- shows that we have the right environment and technology to offer here in WA, and this Fund will mean more people will come here to do research that will benefit us all.”
Professor Carapetis noted that every dollar invested in medical research in Australia returns almost $4 in benefits.
“Medical research is one of the best value spends of public funds,” Professor Carapetis said. “The returns will come in improved health of West Australians, improved economic opportunities and of course in developing a range of commercialised products.
“WA has a great reputation for innovation and the quality of its medical research. This will provide the critical mass to what is a very vibrant sector so that we can deliver even more impact.
“The WA Government already invests in medical research, but not at the same level as many other states. It is essential that this new fund provides additional resources on top of those already allocated.
“We are very grateful for the long-term advocacy of Health Minister Roger Cook to see this Fund created and the support it has received from the McGowan Government. We call on all WA parliamentarians and parties to provide their support to ensure that the Fund is active as soon as possible.”
The Kids Research Institute Australia is the largest medical research institute in Western Australia with more than 700 staff and students.