The Australian Society for Medical Research welcomes the comprehensive final report of the Strategic Examination of Research and Development. This report correctly identifies the significant issues with Australia’s current economic trajectory and its narrow focus on resources.
ASMR is particularly pleased that many of the recommendations call to “Protect and support foundational research by reversing the decline in competitive grants, building investment in the main competitive grant schemes to globally competitive funding levels, and applying appropriate indexation.”
The report also addresses significant issues with indirect funding for research and the shortfalls in the use of the available resources from the MRFF.
“This is a comprehensive report that touches on a wide range of sector requirements to set Australia on a positive course for the future. Given we have seen decades of decline, it is imperative that we immediately start repairing the damage to the sector as it will take decades to repair.”
– Dr Shane Huntington OAM, ASMR CEO.
The report is aptly named “Ambitious Australia”. The Australian Society for Medical Research calls on the Federal Government to urgently address the recommendations in this report.