Today the ASMR has joined forces with patient advocacy organisations from across Australia to call on Health Minister Mark Butler to release the medical research funding already sitting idle in the Medical Research Future Fund.
Our collective message is clear: medical research investment today means better outcomes for patients tomorrow.
More than $1 billion is currently available to be released from the MRFF each year. This funding was established to support the health and medical research that improves diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for Australians. Yet these funds remain unreleased due to the arbitrary $650 million cap.
For people living with chronic illness, rare diseases, cancer, and mental health conditions, this isn’t an abstract policy question. Research delays mean longer waits for innovation, fewer clinical trials, and slower access to evidence-based care.
This letter represents a unified call to action.
The ASMR is standing alongside these patient advocacy groups who understand firsthand the value of timely research investment.
The MRFF was built to deliver lasting health benefits for Australians. We’re calling on the Government to honour that commitment and release the funding as intended.
Not investing today means a significant reduction in research impact for decades to come.
Additional Signees
Since the initial submission of this letter, we are pleased that the following organisations have also affirmed their support for this message. To add your organisation to the growing list of supporters, contact shane@asmr.org.au.
