Australia's Labor government under pressure to fast-track medical innovation funding as Trump cuts US research.
Independent MP Monique Ryan has called on the Albanese administration to release more of the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) earnings, urging them to take advantage of a growing vacuum in cutting-edge medical research caused by US President Donald Trump's slashing of government-funded research in the country. The fund's average annual rate of return has outperformed its benchmark since 2015 and Ryan believes increasing the annual disbursement amount would boost life-saving innovation.
Research by the Parliamentary Budget Office indicates that the MRFF's total value will grow to at least $30.1 billion over a decade, assuming an annual release of just $1 billion for research funding. Ryan argues that this could secure the future of Australia's research sector and deliver better health outcomes for all Australians.
The push for more funding has been backed by leading research organizations, including the Group of Eight universities, the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes, and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. A delegation visiting Parliament House on Thursday includes representatives from several top research institutions, highlighting the urgent need for increased support.
Ryan's concerns echo Trump's own moves to slash funding and staff appointments at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The US president has replaced experienced scientists with loyalists and individuals without medical or scientific training. Australian researchers have had long-standing links to trusted US health institutions, including the CDC, which are now under threat.
The survival of world-class research institutes in Australia is also at risk. The Australian Association of Medical Research Institutes reported that many of its member organizations would cease to be financially viable within five years without more support. Ryan will highlight several research proposals that have been denied funding, including a clinical trial on pregnancy for women with sleep apnea and a study on the management of post-traumatic amnesia.
The establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control is close to being passed by parliament, but Ryan's calls for increased MRFF funding remain unanswered. The government must act quickly to address the growing vacuum in medical research caused by Trump's cuts and ensure that Australia continues to be a leader in life-saving innovation.
Independent MP Monique Ryan has called on the Albanese administration to release more of the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) earnings, urging them to take advantage of a growing vacuum in cutting-edge medical research caused by US President Donald Trump's slashing of government-funded research in the country. The fund's average annual rate of return has outperformed its benchmark since 2015 and Ryan believes increasing the annual disbursement amount would boost life-saving innovation.
Research by the Parliamentary Budget Office indicates that the MRFF's total value will grow to at least $30.1 billion over a decade, assuming an annual release of just $1 billion for research funding. Ryan argues that this could secure the future of Australia's research sector and deliver better health outcomes for all Australians.
The push for more funding has been backed by leading research organizations, including the Group of Eight universities, the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes, and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. A delegation visiting Parliament House on Thursday includes representatives from several top research institutions, highlighting the urgent need for increased support.
Ryan's concerns echo Trump's own moves to slash funding and staff appointments at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The US president has replaced experienced scientists with loyalists and individuals without medical or scientific training. Australian researchers have had long-standing links to trusted US health institutions, including the CDC, which are now under threat.
The survival of world-class research institutes in Australia is also at risk. The Australian Association of Medical Research Institutes reported that many of its member organizations would cease to be financially viable within five years without more support. Ryan will highlight several research proposals that have been denied funding, including a clinical trial on pregnancy for women with sleep apnea and a study on the management of post-traumatic amnesia.
The establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control is close to being passed by parliament, but Ryan's calls for increased MRFF funding remain unanswered. The government must act quickly to address the growing vacuum in medical research caused by Trump's cuts and ensure that Australia continues to be a leader in life-saving innovation.
i feel like they should just give more cause trumps cutting funding in usa might be a thing now... that's kinda worrying tho. we need to keep our researchers happy or else... idk what's gonna happen...
The gov't needs to take action ASAP to fill this funding gap before it's too late!
. I mean, we're talkin about a $20 billion fund just beggin to be tapped into, and those top researchers are already sayin we need to act fast or risk losin the expertise & innovation that's keepin us ahead of the game 
. Its like, Trump's slashin' funding left & right, but Aussie gov is like, "nah, we got this" 
. But seriously, we can't afford to be complacent here – the future of life-saving research is at stake 
. The US is basically takin its brainpower to China or somethin' if Trump keeps slashin' those CDC funds 
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. The fact that Australia's Labor gov't is being called out for not doing enough with the $20 billion MRFF earnings is, like, totally valid. I mean, who wouldn't want to invest in life-saving innovation? 
It's a total no-brainer. And to think Trump is just gonna keep gutting research funding and hiring non-scientists... it's just sad 
. The pressure on the Aussie gov't to fast-track more MRFF funding is, like, totally justified. We need to make sure our researchers are able to do their thing without being held back by Trump's policies 
.
. i mean, trumps just slashin' all that funding at the cdc and replacein' people with nothin' to do but wonder what hit 'em... it's like he's tryin' to slow down some serious medical breakthroughs 
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. not to mention all the sick people who need better treatment for things like sleep apnea and post-traumatic amnesia... this is somethin' we should be worried about 
With Trump slashing US research funding like it's nobody's business, Australia's got a sweet opportunity to swoop in and fill that vacuum. I mean, think about it - our MRFF is already killing it, outperforming its benchmark since 2015, so why not give more love? 
! With the US president slashing research funding, it'd be crazy not to capitalize on this void 
. It's time for Australia to step up and become a leader in medical innovation 
. With the US cutting back on research funding, Australia should be taking advantage of this opportunity to boost life-saving innovation 
. Let's hope the government takes a proactive approach to address this issue ASAP 
!
. Those US researchers are getting left high and dry, and it's only a matter of time before Australia fills the void 
.
. It's all about finding a balance between supporting our research sector while also keeping things fresh and innovative 
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. We need to act fast and secure our future as leaders in medical research, before its too late! 
And what's worse is that Trump's cuts are causing some of our top health institutions to lose trust and confidence in the US system 
20 billion dollars is insane 
we need to keep pushin' the gov to act fast 
i mean, $30 billion is a lot of money but come on! they need to step up and take action. this is all about Australia's future health and wellbeing, it shouldn't be about keeping up with what others are doing. we're better than that! 
But seriously, it makes sense that if they're cutting funding everywhere else, the US would create a void for other countries like us to step up. I mean, we've got a pretty solid system here. The research orgs are all backing her up & stuff, but what's the real number here? Is it just more cash or is there some actual strategy behind this? 
if they release more of that $20billion med research future fund earnings it cud make a HUGE difference 
. We need more of this cash to secure our future in life-saving innovation.
anywayz, hope australia stays ahead on this research game 
so australia's labor gov is under pressure to fast track medical innovation funding or risk losing out on that sweet $20 billion mrff earnings 
It's like they're letting the US set the bar on who gets funding and when...not cool, Monique Ryan says 
Trump's slashing of US research funds has created a "vacuum" in cutting-edge medical innovation, and Australia's gotta step up its game 