THE HON MARK BUTLER MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH
SHARON CLAYDON MP
DEPUTY SPEAKER
MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE
Newcastle will be the home of new world-leading medical research infrastructure to help close the gap in health outcomes for First Nations people, thanks to $3 million in funding from the Albanese Government.
The innovative project from the University of Newcastle, in partnership with the Lowitja Institute, will help ensure culturally safe health and medical research for First Nations people, by establishing a national ethics committee to provide advice and guidance on future research projects.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Human Ethics Committee will be co-designed with First Nations people to ensure Indigenous Australians have a say in the research projects that affect them.
The project is spearheaded by Wiradjuri woman and NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow, Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy.
The funding is part of the National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative, a 10-year, $650 million Australian Government investment from the Medical Research Future Fund. The Initiative funds facilities, equipment, systems and services that support world-class health and medical research.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“We cannot close the gap in life expectancy and health outcomes, unless we consult First Nations people about the policies – and research projects – that affect them.”
“Better outcomes come through consultation, and the co-design process that the University of Newcastle will undertake in developing a dedicated First Nations ethics committee will lead to better outcomes.”
“The Albanese Government is supporting innovative research to help improve the health of all Australians.”
Quotes attributable to Sharon Claydon MP, federal Member for Newcastle:
“The University of Newcastle has always punched well above its weight when it comes to world-leading research and this innovative study is further proof of that.”
“I’m delighted to see our talented researchers recognised by the Medical Research Future Fund, further cementing Newcastle as the home of innovative health and medical research.”
“This funding is testament to the extraordinary work of Michelle Kennedy and her team to deliver health research that’s appropriate, engaging and meaningful for First Nations people.”
Quotes attributable to Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy, Assistant Dean Indigenous Strategy & Leadership, University of Newcastle:
“All research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be deemed safe and respectful by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
“All research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled health ethical approvals. However, there is limited state-based infrastructure and no national infrastructure to support this.”
“This project will use a co-design process to establish the much-needed body and contribute to transformative change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.”
Grant details:
$2,925,197 - Establishing a National Aboriginal Health Research Human Ethics Committee
This project will use a co-design process to establish a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Human Ethics Committee to help improve health outcomes for First Nations people by streamlining culturally safe health and medical research.
