Australian medical researchers are protesting around the country following reports that funding to the sector could be cut in the May budget. The federal government is considering slashing $400 million from medical research.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research director Doug Hilton says there is no room for such cuts. “If the government thinks that by raising $400 million as a number somehow there'll be a great round of applause when they cut $100 million they're really sadly mistaken. Even at the moment the chances of getting a project funded are slim. You have to put in five grants to get one funded,” he explained. Prof Hilton warned new research into cancer was also at risk if funding was reduced. “We're in the middle of testing a series of new pharmaceuticals in leukemia and lymphoma and they look fantastically positive in the trials. We'd like to extend that to cancers that are very badly treated ... diseases like lung cancer and ovarian cancer. That's the sort of medical research that's at risk,” he said. He added that many who are working in the sector could move overseas or leave the field altogether. He said efficiencies could be made in other areas, such as merging small institutions or having them share human resources.
Cancer Council of South Australia CEO Brenda Wilson says research funding is vital. “It's really important that we're able to attract and retain the best researchers in Australia and for the decades to come because this is going to have a much more positive affect on the health status of our community. One in two Australians get cancer by the age of 85,” she said. “These significant budget cuts are going to affect some of our best and brightest researchers, who'll pursue a career overseas. It's really important for a country as vibrant as Australia to have these talented researchers,” she also said.
The protests will take place on Tuesday in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. Another is planned for Perth on Thursday. Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research Julio Licinio said a big turnout was expected at the Canberra rally against the potential funding cuts. “'They [funding cuts] will be devastating,” Professor Licinio said. “If the cuts come through, many young people who would be starting careers would lose. We'd lose a whole generation,” he added.
According to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott cutting the National Health and Medical Research Council's budget was so foolish Labor probably wouldn't actually do it. “The idea that we should be cutting this funding when we have wasted so much money on other things and are continuing to waste money on things like the national broadband network is just bizarre,” Mr. Abbott said. “My prediction ... is that they won't go ahead with this cut. This cut is so obviously counterproductive not even this foolish government will go ahead with it,” he said. Greens MP Adam Bandt called on Treasurer Wayne Swan to rule out slashing research funding. It “should not be on the chopping block to meet the government's self-imposed fiscal targets”, he said in a statement. “How could the government justify giving $2.4 billion in tax cuts to big business with one hand and then taking funds from health and medical research with the other?” he said.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon has refused to be drawn on “budget speculation”. But she has said the government is looking at every dollar spent in the health portfolio. “Research is not exempt from that examination,” the health minister said on Monday.
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