Major political parties dismiss research sector warnings

Australia’s major political parties have failed to commit to critical reforms that could determine the survival of the nation’s health and medical research sector, despite stark warnings from the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) and Research Australia.

With some research institutes forecast to shut their doors by 2029, the political deflection from both Labor and the Coalition has raised serious concerns among stakeholders.

AAMRI Election Statement outlines three core priorities aimed at stabilising a sector on the brink: the immediate release of unallocated funds from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the creation of a National Health and Medical Research Workforce Plan, and a long-overdue increase in national research and development investment to 3% of GDP.

Despite the urgency of these calls, the responses from the Australian Labor Party, the Coalition, and several key independents have fallen dramatically short. None of the major parties offered direct support for any of the three priorities, effectively sidestepping the very real threat to the nation’s medical research ecosystem.

Labor delivered the more detailed response but conspicuously avoided making any firm commitments. Instead, it took the opportunity to contrast its handling of MRFF grants with that of the Coalition, boasting that funding under its leadership has been awarded on merit – unlike the Coalition’s approach, which it criticised for lacking open competition. Labor added that a National Health and Medical Strategy is in development, which will include a plan to support a sustainable research workforce – but again, no concrete promises were made.

The Coalition’s reply to AAMRI was notably dismissive. After launching a series of attacks on Labor over unrelated issues, it declared a vague intention to “build on the MRFF’s legacy” while offering piecemeal funding announcements – $3 million for bone marrow failure syndromes and $265,000 for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease – that seemed disconnected from the sector-wide crisis outlined by AAMRI.

The Australian Greens, despite multiple follow-up attempts by AAMRI throughout April, have yet to submit a formal response. They have simply indicated that one is forthcoming.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, representing the electorate of Clark in Tasmania, was one of the few who voiced support for AAMRI’s concerns.

“I agree that the Australian Government should prioritise investment in and support for world-class healthcare research. I have long advocated for more long-term, secure investment in research and development, which I believe is missing in our national approach to science and technology. Should I be re-elected, I will look for opportunities in the next Federal Parliament to support and further AAMRI’s priorities,” he said.

AAMRI CEO, Dr Saraid Billiards, expressed frustration over the lack of political, saying “In a time where every dollar invested in Australian medical research results in a $3.90 return on investment – driving innovative treatments, better health outcomes, and a more efficient healthcare system – the lack of commitment to Australia’s medical research sector during this election is worrying.”

“While this election is being fought on the cost of living crisis, what is being overlooked is that investment in health and medical research addresses this critical issue,” added Dr Billiards.

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