News
Rudd government signs $44.7 million funding agreement with Menzies Research Institute |
| Spokesperson: | The Hon Mark Butler MP - Parliamentary Secretary for Health, The Hon Duncan Kerr SC MP - Member for Denison, The Hon Julie Collins MP - Member for Franklin |
| Date: | Monday, 15 February 2010 |
| Category: | Research/Trials |
| The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler, visited the University of Tasmania today with the Member for Denison, Duncan Kerr and the Member for Franklin, Julie Collins, to sign the $44.7 million funding agreement between the Rudd Government and the Menzies Research Institute to build an integrated clinical and health research facility. The Menzies Research Institute is a centre for population health research with a global reputation in epidemiology. Research efforts focus on preventing diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease, osteoporosis, epilepsy and dementia. The $44.7 million in federal funding is drawn from the Rudd Government's $5 billion Health and Hospitals Fund of which $700 million has been committed for health and medical research infrastructure. After signing the agreement on behalf of the Rudd Government, Mr Butler announced the first payment of $3 million to the Menzies Research Institute for the building program. “Quality medical research needs quality facilities and this funding will help expand medical research in Tasmania whilst creating local jobs,” Mr Butler said. "Medical research can bring significant economic benefits as well as having the potential to transform lives by improving our ability to tackle disease in Australia and across the globe. "The Rudd Government’s investment in medical research infrastructure is an investment in Australia’s future." Mr Kerr said that this agreement builds on and enhances Hobart’s reputation as a centre for international medical research. “Population research supports medical intervention where it is most effective, usually through primary health care,” Mr Kerr said. The new six storey facility, known as Medical Science 2, will house 450 staff and contain dedicated research space as well as infrastructure for clinical researchers. Ms Collins said the $44.7 million funding package was a timely investment for Tasmania to create jobs and boost vital research in disease prevention by the Menzies Research Institute. “I’ve been really pleased to support this project because it means more jobs for Tasmanians as well as the benefits from a significant investment in medical research which will translate through to an enhanced quality of health care,” Ms Collins said. |
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