Australia is at a pivotal moment in medical research, poised to seize an incredible opportunity, but the clock is ticking. Independent MP Monique Ryan is urging the Australian government to fast-track funding for groundbreaking medical innovation. This push comes at a crucial time, as the United States, under the leadership of Donald Trump, is significantly reducing its investment in vital research.
Ryan, a paediatric neurologist and the MP for Kooyong, is advocating for the Albanese government to release more funds from the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), exceeding the current annual disbursement of $650 million. But here's where it gets controversial: some argue that the current pace is too slow, potentially hindering life-saving discoveries.
The Parliamentary Budget Office projects the MRFF's value to surge to at least $30.1 billion within a decade, even if $1 billion is allocated annually for research. The fund has consistently outperformed its benchmark since its inception by the Turnbull government in 2015. Ryan believes that a larger annual release from the fund's earnings can significantly boost life-saving innovation. Recent figures place the MRFF's current value at $24.1 billion.
Ryan's call for increased funding has garnered support from prominent research and academic institutions, including the Group of Eight universities, the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and the Australian Academy of Science. A delegation, including representatives from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Burnett Institute, Research Australia, and the George Institute, will visit Parliament House this Thursday to further emphasize this need.
"Locking away this critical funding threatens the future of life-saving innovation," Ryan stated. "Hundreds of high-quality research proposals have gone unfunded in recent years. Releasing MRFF funds not only secures the future of Australia’s research sector; it delivers better health outcomes for all Australians."
Ryan is drawing a direct link between this push and the actions of the Trump administration, which has drastically cut funding and replaced experienced scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The US President has appointed loyalists and individuals lacking medical or scientific expertise.
This is a significant concern because Australian researchers have long-standing collaborations with trusted US health institutions, including the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health. The FDA's drug approvals often guide approvals in Australia.
Ryan highlights that Trump has slashed medical research funding and "eviscerated" the US CDC. "The survival of world-class research institutes in Australia is also under threat," she warned. The Australian Association of Medical Research Institutes reported that many of its member organizations could become financially unsustainable within five years without increased support.
Trump's proposed budget would cut funding for the US CDC by a staggering 53%, eliminate over 60 programs, and lead to the dismissal of another 16% of staff.
On Thursday, Ryan will showcase research proposals that have missed out on MRFF funding, including a clinical trial on pregnancy for women with sleep apnoea proposed by Amanda Poprzecny from Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s hospital. Associate Professor Adam McKay from Monash University's Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre also had a proposal for research to aid patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries that was not funded.
"This research would have helped people with traumatic brain injury get the best possible care at a critical time in their recovery," McKay explained. "Instead, we watched opportunities slip away."
The legislation to establish a new Australian Centre for Disease Control is nearing completion in parliament.
What do you think? Do you agree with Monique Ryan's call for faster funding? Do you believe the US cuts will impact Australian research? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
