New South Wales Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner

Labor Abandon Medical Research

Victor P Taffa

The State Budget has revealed the Keneally Labor Government has abandoned the ongoing support of vital medical research, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

Buried in the Budget Estimates documents (7 – 36) it is revealed the Science and Medical Research Policy and Industry Innovation Group had its budget cut from $55.3 Million to $47.1 Million.  

Medical Research Support grants have been slashed from $26.6 Million to $18.9 Million.

“The Keneally Labor Government is cutting medical research at a time when new breakthroughs are more important than ever.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“We need to be on the cutting edge of medical research in NSW, we need to be number one again.”

“Medical technology is advancing at a rapid rate, and NSW cannot afford to fall behind if we want to deliver world leading patient care in our public hospitals.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“It just shows how out of touch the Keneally Labor Government has become, they routinely ignore expert medical advice.”

“The Keneally Labor Government simply has the wrong priorities it’s just more of the same failure and incompetence.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to delivering better patient care in our public hospitals and across the NSW health system.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“We understand the value of medical research in ensuring new advances and treatment are available to patients in NSW.”

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver strong ideas to make NSW number one again.” Mrs. Skinner said.

Along with the reintroduction of Hospital Boards that would be financially accountable to State Parliament the Medicare Levy should be increases to 2.5% with the increase going directly into Medical Research.