The Andrews Labor Government has repeated its call for the Federal Government to contribute $60 million towards the establishment of the $180 million Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery.
The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery will be Australia’s first research and education centre for biomedical engineering, bringing together doctors, scientists and researchers at one of Victoria’s leading hospitals.
The Centre will focus on chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer and diabetes, and advance cutting-edge treatments and technologies, including robotic hands, heart tissue engineering and spinal cord repair.
One example of a project being undertaken by the Centre is a world-first procedure to build a man a new heel bone using 3D printing, which will save him from losing part of his leg to cancer.
Speaking at the official opening of the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery Research Week, Minister for Health Jill Hennessy outlined the Labor Government’s strong investment in medical research, including $25 million to establish a genomic sequencing program to provide earlier diagnosis and more personalised treatments for Victorians; $15 million to plan and commence early works of the Victorian Heart Hospital, Australia’s first specialist cardiac hospital; and $2 million to plan and develop a National Centre for Proton Beam Therapy.
The Government also provided $60 million for the Aikenhead project in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget, subject to it being matched by the Commonwealth, however the Abbott Government has yet to make any commitment.
Minister Hennessy has urged the Federal Government to provide funding for this project, which will not only benefit Victorians, but all Australians and others around the world.
In addition to the medical discoveries and devices the Centre will achieve, over 1,000 new jobs will be created during the development and construction phase, and, after 15 years of operation, an estimated 10,000 jobs will have been created in the world-leading medical technology and pharmaceutical industry in Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“Victoria is leading the world when it comes to medical research, and this Centre will develop new treatments, cures and technology that will change lives, and save lives.”
“This Government is investing in medical research because we know that advances in treatments and technologies mean better patient outcomes.”
“The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery is an investment in innovation, in jobs, and a growing export market. More importantly, it is an investment that will improve the health of Victorians and the broader Australian community.”
“This project is shovel-ready, but it needs the support of the Federal Government. I urge the Abbott Government to match our commitment, and provide the funding to get this project up and running.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020