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$71 million for new health research centre

20 May 2009

An artists rendering of the Monash Health Research Precinct, which is expected to be built by the end of 2012.

A new A$71 million health research centre will be established at the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton. Funding for the Monash Health Research Precinct (MHRP), a partnership between Monash, the Monash Institute of Medical Research, Southern Health and the Prince Henry's Institute, was announced in last week's 2009-2010 Federal budget.

The MHRP's focus will include inflammatory and infectious diseases, men's and women's health, and cancer and stem-cell technologies.

Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the facility would further strengthen research infrastructure in and around the Clayton campus and was a tribute to the hard work of Monash staff who worked on the concept with their partners over several years.

Monash Institute of Medical Research director Professor Bryan Williams said the facility would provide an exceptional opportunity to accelerate basic laboratory observations into clinical practice, improving patient care and disease prevention.

Professor Larkins also welcomed an $8 million budget allocation to help establish the European Molecular Biology Laboratory at the Clayton campus. This facility will provide access to world-leading research expertise in bioinfomatics, training and research commercialisation.

An additional $48 million has been allocated to rapidly advance the development of the Australian Data Commons through broad engagement with the research sector. This is expected to be achieved through the Australian National Data Service.

Professor Larkins said the budget responded to many recommendations made in the recent Bradley and Cutler reviews.

"I particularly welcome the commitment to the proper indexation of the Commonwealth Grants Scheme and the move towards funding the full cost of research," Professor Larkins said.

Professor Larkins said the budget also recognised the need for additional university places, particularly in the crucial areas of teaching and nursing.

"I also applaud the additional equity measures contained in the budget, which mean more students from lower socio-economic areas will be able to access higher education and the stipends for postgraduate research students, which will help us to continue to attract and support top-quality researchers,” Professor Larkins said.