Professor Ian Frazer to Chair MRFF Advisory Board

Professor Ian Frazer welcomed the Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley to the Translational Research Institute today, Monday 4 April 2016, to announce the members the Board that will advise the government on investing proceeds from the $20 Billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

‘I’m delighted, on behalf of the four shareholders in the Translational Research Institute to welcome you all here today.

“I am honored as President of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science to be given the responsibility of chairing the Medical Research Future Fund Advisory Board.

“The MRFF is a significant and needed government investment in the health of Australia and our region, and in Australia’s future economic prosperity,” said Professor Frazer.

Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley said that the Advisory Board will ensure that any expenditure from the MRFF will have a strong business case, ensuring that the financial assistance provided from the MRFF delivers the greatest value for all Australians.

The newly announced advisory board will bring a diversity of talent to lead discussion about priorities for MRFF funding, and about the mechanisms for establishing and reviewing those priorities.

This process will start with a round table held under the auspices of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences in Sydney on Friday 29 April 2016.

Areas that are likely to be considered for funding, which have been identified through previous reviews including those by Wills, Grant and McKeon include:

• health services research and public health research, to make our health system as efficient and effective as possible,
• clinical trials of the outputs from Australian medical research, to ensure their translation into clinical practice, and, where appropriate, their commercialization, and .   
• targeted research effort on health problems unique to Australia and our region.

Professor Frazer believes that the successful pursuit of each of these areas will depend on a strong ongoing commitment to basic research across all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics

“The TRI is an excellent example of the commitment of State and Federal governments to a collaborative approach to medical research innovation and commercialisation.  

“Collaboration, rather than internal competition, will help to maintain our research at an international standard, to the ultimate benefit of all Australians. 

“The funding provided through the MRFF should ensure that the considerable investment that has been made in research infrastructure, such as the TRI, across Australia can be be matched by funding for delivery of research projects leading to the practical benefits of better health, jobs and economic growth,” said Professor Frazer.

Professor Frazer will be joined on the Board by seven other directors including The University of Queensland’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Høj; Chief Executive of Bionomics, Dr Deborah Rathjen; Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Chief Executive, Yasser El-Ansary;  the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes President, Doug Hilton; Flinders University academic, Karen Reynolds; Red Cross Blood Service Chief Executive, Jennifer Williams; and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Chief Executive, Professor Anne Kelso.

Media Contact: Louise Morland | TRI Communications and Marketing Director | [email protected] | (07) 3443 7744