Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

The member asked about the addition of capability for researchers, and I was trying to address the fact that not only is there 2½ times as much money; there's also a priority-driven stream of research funding now that I think is a real addition to what we've had for decades. The member is right: there has been a policy decision in government, going back to the former government, to cap allocations from the MRFF at $650 million a year—which, as I said, with the $850 million budget of the NHMRC, adds up to that $1½ billion. I know there is a debate within the research community about that. That debate will play out as part of the development of a national strategy for health and medical research. A draft of that strategy is due to be published very shortly, and I'm sure there'll be a discussion about the maximum allocation. Also, the Treasurer and finance minister have just conducted their 10-year statutory review of the MRFF, and that review will be published shortly as well.

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