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Science Strategy and Priorities Taskforce
Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Email: priorities@industry.gov.au
4th April 2023
The Australian Society for Medical Research welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the
Department of Industry, Science and Resources paper, Developing Australia’s Science and Research
Priorities and National Science Statement – a National Conversation Starter.
Founded in 1961, the ASMR is the peak organisation representing the Australian health and medical research sector through its public, political and scientific advocacy. In addition to its core membership of health and medical researchers, the ASMR has affiliations with specialist societies, medical colleges, and patient foundations/groups that effectively expand ASMR’s network to more than 100,000 stakeholders of Australian health and medical research.
The ASMR supports the government’s decision to revitalise Australia’s Science and Research
Priorities. Science and research are key to the new ideas that are needed for Australia’s social and economic progress. Furthermore, as demonstrated by the recent global pandemic, improved health outcomes require novel ideas and rapid ways to implement them. As a society with over 60 years’ experience advocating for the Health and Medical Research sector, ASMR strongly support Health remaining a priority in the refreshed National Science and Research Priorities and provide the following responses to the requested conversation starters.
1. What are Australia’s greatest: a. Challenges that science should help address?
Australia’s population is ageing, with an increased incidence of chronic diseases placing immense
burden on our health system. Total health expenditure has increased an average of 3.4% per year
over the last decade. Research will be essential, particularly fundamental scientific research, in
order to lead to innovative, preventative, and more efficient healthcare, overall resulting in a
more cost-effective health system.
Australia’s climate is changing, with the full effect on the health of Australians’ and the health
system yet to be realised. Science and research are essential to provide the innovations required
to not only meet net zero emission targets but to reduce the impact of climate change on human
health.
Our response as a nation to the COVID-19 pandemic saw Australians fare better than many
nations around the globe, largely due to effective public health messaging, high testing rates,
impressive contact tracing efforts and high vaccine uptake. However, our pandemic response was
not without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally affected indigenous
Australians, those with disabilities, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions, who
experienced higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death compared to the general population. In
addition, our sovereign capabilities were limited, with a heavy reliance on overseas
manufacturing and global supply chains to supply personal protective equipment, treatments and
vaccines.
The Australian Society for Medical Research ACN 000 599 235 - ABN 18 000 599 235
Suite 704, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: 02 9230 0333
Email: asmr@asmr.org.au, Website: www.asmr.org.au Snr Executive Officer: Catherine West
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b. Opportunities we should seize?
The health and medical research sector are poised to meet these challenges. However, in order
to do so we need ongoing sustainability for our sector. As outlined in Australia’s current National
Science Statement “the government will ensure that support across the spectrum of basic to
applied research is stable and predictable”. The cost to do research is increasing, resulting in
fewer funding opportunities for researchers, contributing to a diminishing workforce and
discouraging young people from choosing science as a viable career. Australia has the
opportunity to improve overall funding for science and research, ensuring longevity and stability
of the sector. This will encourage more students to undertake careers in STEM as well as lead to
improved economic benefits and better health outcomes for all Australians. c. Strengths we should maintain or build?
Australian researchers consistently deliver health, social and economic benefits for the nation.
However, a declining research workforce will greatly impede our ability to continue to deliver
these benefits to Australians. In a recent workforce survey conducted by ASMR of 1067 health
and medical researchers, 79% of respondents were unlikely to recommend a career in health and
medical research or would do so, only with a degree of caution. If Australia is to have the most
highly educated and skilled scientists and researchers in the world, capable of tackling a range of
health priorities, we need to strengthen and build our future workforce.
2. Does Australia have the capability and capacity needed to address these challenges,
opportunities and strengths? If not, how could we build this?
Australia needs to build its capacity of skilled scientists and researchers through increased and
sustainable funding. The impact of increasing investment will help to build longevity into a sector
that is responsible for new ideas to lead to new technologies, policies and products that result in
economic and social benefits throughout the community. A strong and capable scientific
workforce would also provide incentives for more businesses to invest in research and
development in Australia.
3. Are the principles the right principles to shape the priorities?
ASMR support the 7 principles set out in the National Conversation Starter. In particular, the 4th
principle “be enduring and responsive” is key to ASMR’s objective of advocating for a sustainable
health and medical research sector.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Emily Colvin A/Prof Tony Kenna
President Immediate Past President
The Australian Society for Medical Research ACN 000 599 235 - ABN 18 000 599 235
Suite 704, 109 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: 02 9230 0333
Email: asmr@asmr.org.au, Website: www.asmr.org.au Snr Executive Officer: Catherine West
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