Thursday, 27 August 2026

 Ellen SANDELL (Melbourne) (14:35): (1794) My question is to the Minister for Medical Research. When will Labor finally catch up with other states and increase funding for Victoria’s medical research institutes to prevent them from closing? The Parkville medical precinct in my electorate is world renowned. It is home to institutes like Peter Mac, WEHI, the Florey and many more. They do incredible life-saving research. They employ 73,000 people and contribute $3.6 billion to our economy every single year. But right now they are facing a funding cliff. In fact 10 of our 14 independent medical research institutes could close by 2030 because Labor in Victoria is refusing to give them the funding that other states do. Every time an institute wins a research grant, it still needs additional funding to keep the lights on and pay its staff. Victoria covers just 17 per cent of these costs, while Queensland funds around 80 per cent. I am calling for urgent intervention from the government and a funding commitment to ensure that these medical research institutes can survive and thrive.

The SPEAKER: The member for Melbourne referred to ‘Labor in Victoria’. I assume you meant the government. I remind members that it is referring to a government or a minister.