Annual Report 2015
Celebrating years 15 years of influence
Mc Keon MRFF MRFF Research Wills Review Beyond Grant Review Global Threat of 10 Strategic Review created to Beyond proposed Australia funding Discovery Funding Financial $400m Imperatives recommends deliver extra Discovery II in Federal established doubles launched Doubles Crisis funding cut launched more research $1 billion Budget funding funding
900 NMHRC Annual Expenditure 2000 – 2015
800 Millions ($)
700
600
500
400
300
Howard Rudd – Gillard – Rudd Abbott – Turnbull 200 Government Government Government
100
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Research Australia Leadership
Chair: Peter Wills Chair: Prof John Niland Chair: Chris Roberts CEO: Rebecca James Chair: Prof CEO: Elizabeth Vice Chancellor of UNSW Christine Foley CEO: Bev Dyke Bennett CEO: Dr Christine Bennett
*Dr Jane Glatz was acting CEO part of 2002 Published November 2015
2 Chairman’s Foreword A reflection on 15 years
Fifteen years ago, Peter Wills AC in his landmark report1 Research Australia has always valued the role a well-informed recommended the establishment of Research Australia – an and engaged community has in highlighting research as a alliance for discoveries in health to the then Prime Minister, priority for government and health. Campaigns such as ‘Thank John Howard, OM, AC and Health Minister, Dr Michael You Day’, ‘Cook For A Cure’ and, of course, our Research Australia Wooldridge. Based on Research!America the establishment Annual Awards Night have been powerful opportunities for of this new organisation brought together all aspects of “the telling the stories behind the great research and innovation. In virtuous cycle” to champion the value of health and medical recent years we have further strengthened our engagement research to our nation. For fifteen years Research Australia with the research sector and broader community digitally has been a whole of community voice striving to increase with our successful GrassRoots e-magazine and our growing government, industry and philanthropic investment in health FaceBook and Twitter following. and medical research and innovation in Australia. All this could not have been achieved without the support We take great pride in the many achievements of Research of the valued members and partners who form the Research Australia since its inception in 2000. The successive boards and Australia alliance. In celebrating our fifteenth anniversary, I management teams, in partnership with our alliance members, want to particularly acknowledge the support of our early and have seen funding of the NHMRC double twice – firstly significant Foundation Donors and Members for their foresight following the Wills Review in 2000 and then again in 2005 and commitment in making Research Australia a reality. following the Grant Review. Most recently the establishment Since the Founding Chair, Peter Wills, there has been three significant of the Medical Research Future Fund offers great promise to a eras of leadership under Chairs John Niland AC, Dr Chris Roberts and further doubling of Federal Government investment. Support myself. Our current CEO Elizabeth Foley is moving on after almost five for commercialisation, encouragement of philanthropic giving years at the helm. The Board and I sincerely thank Elizabeth for her and raising the public profile of health and medical research leadership over this period, and wish her every success in her future achievements in Australia have been the core focus of endeavours. She leaves the organisation strongly positioned as a lead the organisation. advocate for championing health and medical research in this country Over these past 15 years Research Australia has generated and effectively connected to our sister organisations in the landmark reports and activities that have influenced United States, Canada, Sweden and New Zealand. government policy and generated greater community In a year of an unprecedented activity in advocacy for the awareness of the importance and global strength of Australian MRFF, submitting 20 submissions to government across a health and medical research. These include publishing: range of issues, the philanthropy conference, roundtables and • Beyond Discovery in 2004 and again in 2007, which provided other events, the Board greatly appreciates the committed and case studies and analysis of commercialisation of Australian untiring efforts of the Research Australia team during 2015. discoveries and inventions in health. And my sincere appreciation and thanks also to the wonderful, • Philanthropy, The Fourth Dimension of the Virtuous Cycle committed and richly diverse Board supporting the work of in 2006. Here we identified the vital and distinct role that Research Australia. individual and corporate giving has and can make to the With the exciting opportunities promised for the next research sector. decade given the establishment of the MRFF, growing • Australia Speaks, our annual community polling, which interest in philanthropy, and recognition of the importance of commenced in 2001, continues to be widely quoted in commercialisation and engagement with industry, we look forward government submissions and in the media; and to building further on our strong foundations to demonstrate the • Research Australia’s 10 Strategic Imperatives policy paper, importance of investing in health and medical research toward the in 2012 and refreshed in 2015, has formed the advocacy health, hopes and prosperity of all Australians. platform for Research Australia’s championing of health and Professor Christine Bennett AO medical research over recent years. Chair, Research Australia Ltd
1 The Virtuous Cycle: Working Together for Health and Medical Research 3 CEO Report
A bright future
The advent of the Medical Research Future Fund marks become the ‘new tobacco’ as was the front-page headline in the beginning of a new era for health and medical research the Australian Financial Review in September. in Australia, and potentially a much brighter one. The Research Australia has delivered on an incredibly full opportunity for Australia to maintain its international program of activity this year and we are proud to present standing in research will be greatly improved. Indeed, the the highlights in this report. This work would not be possible potential to focus on not only creating new knowledge but without our diligent and enthusiastic staff and an engaged translating this knowledge into policy and practice, new member base. procedures and treatments, and more preventative health As 2015 is my last year as CEO at Research Australia, I measures has never been greater. particularly want to thank the Research Australia staff After an 18 month period of seemingly endless government for their dedication, energy and creativity. It has been my submission work and continued advocacy, we look forward privilege and pleasure to work closely with them. to the fruits it will bear, from the first $10 million distributed I would also like to acknowledge and thank our supportive from the MRFF to greater support for boosting commercial Board, particularly our Chair, Christine Bennett and Deputy returns from research, improved electronic health records and Chair, Peter Wills for their guidance and encouragement. Their more crowd sourced equity funding for life sciences. ability to open doors and also take a helicopter view of the 2015 marked the largest attendance ever for our Philanthropy world has been invaluable to the success of this organisation. Conference, and the most seats sold for our Annual Awards Finally, thank you to our members for their support and night in the past five years. It is great to see our sector commitment to Research Australia’s mission. I have very come together to celebrate our collective successes and to much enjoyed meeting and working with so many of you over share knowledge and learnings at our conference. Our digital the past four and a half years. It has been a remarkable and outreach to the community through GrassRoots, Twitter humbling experience, and I so admire your dedication to your and Facebook continue to grow, and is a continued source of many and varied missions. important feedback and engagement. I believe Research Australia is well positioned to lead the This year’s polling has the potential to influence a number of sector’s advocacy efforts during the second half of this areas in public health, from showing the importance placed by decade, and that it will continue to deliver on its mission Australians on the government dealing with injury and death to make health and medical research a higher priority through domestic violence to their support for government for Australia. based preventative health measures such as a tax on sugary Ms Elizabeth Foley drinks. It will be interesting to see if sugar does indeed Managing Director, Research Australia Ltd
4 Board of Directors
Chairman Deputy Chairman Prof Christine Bennett AO Mr Peter Wills AC Dean Respected research advocate School of Medicine Sydney The University of Notre Dame Australia
Research Australia’s Board reflects a balanced and Ms Elizabeth Foley Dr Alison Butt Prof Brendan Crabb AC Ms Shelley Evans Assoc Prof Mary Haines effective governance structure. Managing Director Director Director Patient Advocacy Director Director of Strategic Research Research Australia Ltd Australian Society for Burnet Institute Genzyme Investment The membership contains Medical Research Immediate Past President Cancer Institute NSW* Australian Association of technical expertise drawn from Medical Research Institutes industry associations, medical research institutes, universities and philanthropic foundations, and companies. This technical expertise is complemented Prof Richard Head Prof Janet Hiller Mr Geoff Joyce Prof John McGrath AM Dr Anna Lavelle by members who bring Inaugural Director Dean Executive Director Executive Director Chief Executive Officer Flagship Institute, Division School of Health Sciences Macquarie Group Limited Queensland Centre for Mental Health AusBiotech professional expertise from of Information Technology, Swinburne University Queensland Brain Institute Engineering and the Environment of Technology* University of Queensland business, finance, law, University of South Australia consumer advocacy, public policy and philanthropy.
*Retiring at the 2015 AGM. We note the sad passing Prof Alexandra McManus Dr Andrew Nash Mr Andrew Giles Mr Barry Thomas Assoc Prof Greg Kaplan of former director Mr Alastair Lucas AO in July 2015. A Director Senior Vice President Research Chief Executive Officer Vice-President & Director Chief Operating Officer complete list of our alumni of former directors can be found Centre of Excellence for CSL Limited Garvan Research Foundation Asia Pacific Ingham Institute at www.researchaustralia.org/about-us/director-alumni Science Seafood & Health Cook Medical Curtin University 5 Policy and Advocacy
Advocacy is Research Australia’s primary • The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister • The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, Minister for Health instrument for achieving our mission. Our • Mr Martin Bowles, Secretary, Department of Health main focus this year has been making the • Mr Mark Cormack, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) a • Professor Anne Kelso AO, CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council reality. Our advocacy partnership with • The Hon. Jillian Skinner MP, NSW Minister for Health AAMRI, the Group of Eight, AusBiotech • The Hon. Pru Goward MP, NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research and the Medical Deans Australia and New • Dr Tony Penna, Director, NSW Department of Health’s Office Zealand provided a strong and united for Health and Medical Research • Professor Chris Brooks, Department of Health and Human voice to Parliament, resulting in bipartisan Services, Victoria support for the passage of the legislation • Ms Cath Patterson, former Chief of Staff, Office of The Hon. Sussan Ley MP in August. • Mr Phillip Lindsay, Adviser to the Assistant Treasurer • Mr Greg Gilbert, Adviser Science and Research, Office of The Not limited to the MRFF, Research Australia has made 20 Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP national submissions on behalf of our members last financial year and three to state governments since 1 July 2014. Topics • Dr Philip Marley, former Senior Manager, Innovation and ranged from ‘The Research Training Review’ to ‘Electronic Health Technology Research, Innovation & Technology Division, Records’. A list of the submissions is provided on page 20 and Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & copies of all our submissions can be found on our website. Resources, Victoria Research Australia would like to thank the following members • Mr Jon Evans, Secretary, Department of Health & Human of parliament, advisers and public servants who granted us time Services, Victoria to discuss the value of continued national investment in health Many thanks also to The Hon. Pru Goward MP, NSW Minister for and medical research over the past year. Medical Research, for opening this year’s philanthropy conference.
6 Throughout 15 Years of Support
d Goals Pro an mo h te lt es in A ea urc he u h so al st in ll th ra t a a l n m n ia e o d ’s r m f m g t h e l s c d o Foundation Members e r i b v a c a n a l i e Australian Stock Exchange s l p r e r o r e e s t s Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia l i a a Mission e t i e c a i o Eli Lilly Australia r r d c n G e To make health and h GlaxoSmithKline m medical research a higher Merck Sharpe & Dohme Australia Novartis Australia priority for the nation Pfizer Australia
E s n ResMed e s u u l h The Commonwealth Bank of Australia r a c r e v o a A Johnson & Johnson f d e
h u n s e s a e HCF Health and Medical Research Foundation t r a r d l l a t l e a Bupa Health Foundation h ia m ic a c r d n a fo e d p n t i m m u ll d e re e n Foundation Donors d s w a ic th is h al e b at lt Dame Elisabeth Murdoch re ene y th ea se fiits iet h The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams ar A soc of ch fiits Memorial Foundation ene the b The Ian Potter Foundation The Perpetual Foundation Mrs Margaret Ainsworth
7 2014 Research Australia Awards
Leaders in health and medical research, advocacy and philanthropy were recognised at Research Australia’s Annual Awards Night at the Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel on 5 November 2014. Hosted by ABC’s health journalist Sophie Scott, the event was attended by nearly 200 people. For the first time the Awards recognised achievements in health services research, reflecting the need to improve the efficiency, safety and delivery of healthcare in Australia.
8 The Peter Wills Medal: Laureate Professor Alan Leadership & Innovation Award: Alastair Lucas AO The Kid’s Cancer Project Lifetime Achievement Lopez AO Award: Carol Langsford OAM & Roy Langsford OAM This award recognises an individual or organisation that has This medal recognises an Australian who has made an shown exceptional leadership and / or innovation towards This award honours a significant lifetime commitment to outstanding contribution to building Australia’s international making health and medical research a higher national priority supporting and promoting health and medical research. reputation in the area of health and medical research, and for Alastair Lucas was Chairman of Investment Banking of Roy and Carol Langsford’s daughter Trish was diagnosed harnessing government, research, industry and philanthropic Goldman Sachs Australia. Most of his career was in banking, with multiple sclerosis at the age of 23. Roy and Carol were collaborations to promote better health Professor Alan Lopez first at Macquarie Bank for 23 years where he became head very aware that, despite good care being available for people is a Melbourne Laureate Professor and the Rowden-White of Corporate Finance and then Chairman, Investment Banking. living with MS, there were scarcely any funds being put into Chair of Global Health & Burden of Disease Measurement Alastair had a wide-reaching interest in and commitment to MS research in Australia. They established the Trish Multiple at The University of Melbourne. He is Director of the Global health and medical research. He joined the board of the Burnet Sclerosis Research Foundation was launched on 20 December Burden of Disease (GBD) Group in the MSPGH. He held prior Institute in 1999 and was Chairman for over 12 years. Alastair 2000, following their daughter’s passing and have raised over appointments as Professor of Medical Statistics and Population was the founding Chair of the MRFF Action Group, a group that $3 million for MS research since inception. Health and Professor of Global Health, and Head of the School represents all medical research in Australia and was a Director Pictured above the award winners Carol and Roy Langsford of Population Health at the University of Queensland from of Research Australia. Sadly Alastair passed away in July 2015 with award sponsors Nigel Everard and Col Reynolds, The Kid’s 2003 – 2012. He worked at the World Health Organization in from brain cancer. He is greatly missed by family, friends Cancer Project. Geneva for 22 years holding a series of technical and senior and colleagues. managerial posts including Chief Epidemiologist in WHO’s Award accepted by Alastair’s close friend Professor Brendan Tobacco Control Program (1992 – 95), Manager of WHO’s Crabb AC. Program on Substance Abuse (1996 – 98), Director of the Epidemiology and Burden of Disease Unit (1999 – 2001) and Senior Science Advisor to the Director-General (2002).
9 Macquarie Group Foundation Great Australian Health Services Research Award: Professor Rob Macquarie Group Foundation Great Australian Philanthropy Award: Charles ‘Chuck’ Feeney Sanson-Fisher AO Philanthropy Award: Margarete & Leonard Ainsworth In 1982 Chuck placed all his assets into a philanthropic This Award is for an individual who has made an outstanding Mrs Ainsworth has been a supporter of Neuroscience Research foundation – Atlantic Philanthropies, which has since made contribution to the field of Health Services Research Australia (including under its previous name Prince of Wales grants totalling more than $6.5 billion – focused on promoting Professor Sanson-Fisher’s endeavours successfully combine Medical Research Institute) since 2002, as well as a significant education, health, peace, reconciliation and human dignity. He behavioural approaches to knowledge translation, health supporter of the Schizophrenia Research Institute and University became a signatory of ‘The Giving Pledge’ in 2011 in an effort promotion, health service evaluation and chronic disease control. of NSW for schizophrenia research. Margarete was also one of to inspire the wealthiest individuals and families in America to His broad body of work includes work includes the largest trial the Foundation Donors of Research Australia. commit to giving the majority of their wealth to philanthropic in smoking cessation for pregnant Aboriginal women and the Mr Ainsworth’s charitable works include support of the Sydney causes and charitable organisations. He is recognised as one largest cluster randomized community trials in cancer control and Children’s Hospital, the Curran Foundation (in support of St of Australia’s most generous philanthropists with one of the reducing alcohol harm. His work examining evidence-practice Vincent’s Hospital), the Garvan Research Institute, the Royal largest grants, $57 million, received by QIMR Berghofer Medical gaps in cardiovascular disease risk factor screening, in over Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, the Anglican Church, St Vincent Research Institute, to help make the state of the art medical 3,000 general practice patients, led to a tender from the NSW de Paul, the Ted Noffs Foundation and the Engineering and research centre in Herston become a reality. Chuck strongly Department of Health to undertake an evaluation of the Chronic Medical Faculties of the University of New South Wales. 2014 believes in and promotes the ‘giving while living’ philosophy. Care Service Enhancements Program across NSW Aboriginal saw the establishment of the Ainsworth Foundation to assist Professor Frank Gannon of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Medical Services. Professor Sanson-Fisher’s innovative work on his philanthropic activities. Institute accepted the award on Chuck Feeney’s behalf. the unmet needs of cancer patients resulted in the Supportive Award winners Margarete & Leonard Ainsworth pictured with Care Needs Survey – an internationally recognised measurement award sponsor Lisa George of Macquarie Group Foundation. device. His ground-breaking work on reducing the emotional impact of illness on patients and their families, by changing the mindset of coping with illness and dying, led to the international adoption of guidelines for breaking bad news to cancer patients. Professor Sanson-Fisher pictured with Award sponsor the Secretary of the NSW Department of Health Dr Mary Foley.
10 Leadership in Corporate Giving Award: The Bupa Griffith University Discovery Award: Advocacy Award: Karen Livingstone Health Foundation Dr Genevieve Healy This award recognises an Australian from either the media, Bupa Health Foundation strives to act as a catalyst for health This award recognises an early career researcher whose paper/ celebrity or a member of the community who has raised and medical research: accelerating great ideas, supporting novel patent/discovery has already demonstrated its importance community awareness about the benefits of health and research and interventions, and turning evidence into action or impact. medical research. to influence positive change in health practice and policy. Dr Genevieve Healy is a Heart Foundation-funded senior Karen Livingstone co-founded Ovarian Cancer Australia in 2001 Established in 2005, the Bupa Health Foundation is one of research fellow at the Cancer Prevention Research Centre in the and her immense determination to educate women about the Australia’s largest private charitable organisations dedicated School of Population Health at the University of Queensland. symptoms of the disease, whilst providing support resources to improving health outcomes. To date, the Foundation has Her PhD research reported some of the first evidence regarding helped her make some sense of her mother’s tragic passing invested in over 100 partnerships with cumulative value of the importance of regularly interrupting sedentary time for from the disease. Familial cancer is a particular area of personal around $26 million. The Foundation directs the majority of heart health. Dr Healy co-leads the internationally-recognised interest for Karen following being identified as a BRCA 2 carrier. its funding towards supporting breakthrough research and Stand Up Australia program of research: a program which In 2008, Karen brought together international consumer groups innovations in five priority areas: wellbeing; healthy ageing; aims to investigate the benefits of reducing prolonged sitting with a shared interest in Ovarian and gynaecological cancer to promoting affordable healthcare; empowering people about time in the workplace. As a direct result of Dr Healy’s body collaborate to achieve better outcomes for women globally. their health; and chronic disease. of sedentary behaviour work, large randomised controlled Award winner Karen Livingstone pictured with award Sonia Dixon accepted the award on behalf of Bupa trials are now investigating the effectiveness of regularly nominators Prof John Mattick and Andrew Giles, Garvan Institute Health Foundation. interrupting sitting time on health and work related outcomes of Medical Research. within office workplaces, while inactivity physiology studies are investigating the underlying mechanisms regarding the benefits observed with regularly breaking up prolonged sitting. Award sponsor Professor Tony Perkins, Griffith University accepted the award on behalf of Genevieve Healy who gave a video acceptance on the evening.
11 Australia Speaks
2015 Opinion Poll – view of 1000 Australians
Research Australia values the role a well-informed community Other highlights include: performs in shaping the research priorities and policy of • 90% of the people polled agree that the Australian governments and the research community. This year’s polling Government should assign a higher priority to education in was undertaken in August by Roy Morgan Research, our new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. polling partner. In addition to our regular questions on priorities • 74% would be likely to support a tax on sugary soft drinks. for the Federal Government, we explored Australians’: Such a tax has already been introduced in Mexico, with • Support for science, positive results in reducing consumption of such beverages in • Willingness to participate in clinical trials lower social-economic groups. (Source AFR) • Support for a tax on sugary drinks • 78% pf people polled reported having used the internet in the • Propensity to donate to research last 12 months to obtain information about a health problem for themselves, a friend or a family member! • Use of ‘Dr Google’ A copy of the polling report, Australia Speaks! Can be found Improving hospitals and the health care system has consistently on our website at www.researchaustralia.org/advocacy- ranked as Australians’ top Federal Government priority in past publications/public-opinion-polls. This year’s polling was made polling and did so again this year, with more funding for health possible by funding from the Department of Health, in-kind and medical research coming in 6th place, 3 places ahead of last sponsorship from Roy Morgan Research, and print sponsorship year. Increased funding and programs for preventative health from the Ingham Institute. care came in 9th and addressing domestic violence came in 11th, from a long list of 27 issues.
12 MRFF Shapes the Future
Pictured L – R: Prof Brendan Crabb, Prof James McCluskey, Prof Nick Fisk, Elizabeth Foley, Peter Scott, Dr Anna Lavelle, Prof Doug Hilton, Prof Christine Bennett, Early Projected Payouts Ian Smith, Simon McKeon. from MRFF*
Health and medical research in 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 Australia is on the edge of an exciting $10m $53m $130m $224m *Source: Federal Budget Papers 2015. new era with the MRFF passing both The next phase for our advocacy agenda is to focus on what and houses of Parliament in mid August. how the MRFF distributions will be spent. Harnessing the voice of the ‘broad church’ that is Research Australia’s membership in As we go to print, we are awaiting the this process has never been more important. Our relationships with industry, health service providers and consumer health appointment of the Advisory board and organisations in addition to research organisations will be vital as In 2014 Research Australia joined the commencement of the consultation we develop submissions to the Advisory Board, the Minister for forces with AAMRI, the Group of Eight Health and the Department of Health. Universities Australia, AusBiotech, process on the first five-year strategy Research Australia undertook our own extensive consultation the Australian Society for Medical for the MRFF and priorities for the first process with our members, using the services of experienced Research, Group of Eight Deans of strategic management consulting firm, Health Consult. Over the Medicine Committee and Medical two years. While the MRFF is expected period June to August, we met with over 80 people for one-on-one Deans Australia and New Zealand interviews, or group consultations held across the country. We also to form the MRFF Action Group, to to have only $10 million to distribute this had hundreds complete our on-line survey and expect to deliver provide a stronger advocacy voice to our findings, showing the sector’s diverse range of views, to Parliament. The Group was founded by financial year, this amount is anticipated the Federal Health Minister, the Hon Sussan Ley, in early 2016. our late director Alastair Lucas AM and to rise rapidly over the next five to six This represents the first stage in our efforts to ensure that the is chaired by Mr Peter Scott, Chair of MRFF has a significant positive impact on the health and medical Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute. years until it reaches $1 billion per annum. research sector, Australians’ health, and the Australian economy.
13 Philanthropy
Research Australia has continued to build capability and connections between current and potential philanthropic investors and research organisations through a number of activities, including working with Philanthropy Australia and through our e-magazine. This December edition of GrassROOTS will be our 14th and it continues to grow in both the number of articles submitted for publication and the number of readers!
We have also created a new section on our website to assist philanthropists in making donations, bequests and grants to health and medical research. We are very grateful to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, whose funding under the Health System Capacity Development Fund helps pay for our philanthropy development activity. Philanthropy is especially important for: • Supporting high risk or contentious research, • Investing in early research that can’t yet attract government or commercial funding, • encouraging young scientists to pursue a career in research • supporting rare diseases
14 Researchers are from Mars, Keynote speaker Cynthia Joyce, CEO of UK’s MQ: Transforming Philanthropy Mental Health, delivered an in-depth case study of the Givers are from Venus challenges and potential of developing a large scale charity in the relatively new fundraising area of mental health research. Conference The NSW Minister for Medical Research, the Hon Pru Goward, A session called ‘The Patient’s Perspective on Health & opened our fifth national conference in Double Bay, Sydney in Medical Research Fundraising’ highlighted the importance of August. The conference successfully brought together major considering how fundraising campaigns can have unintended 2015 research leaders from universities, research institutes, hospitals consequences for sufferers of particular diseases. These and health services with patient advocacy groups, philanthropic consequences include stigma at work and reduced perceptions foundations and international experts in the field to explore the of an individual’s ability to function effectively. opportunities for strengthened philanthropy within the sector. The final session of the day was a high level panel discussion There was a broad range of sessions from an overview of the about new opportunities to better coordinate government and current Australian fundraising sector delivered by John McLeod philanthropic funding for health and medical research. Tony of JB Were to the importance of optimizing websites and Willis, Executive Director, NHMRC and Tony Penna, Director, campaigns for mobile internet users from Elevate Fundraising’s NSW Department of Health’s Office for Health and Medical Luke Edwards. We also heard just how well the Ice Bucket Research, Cynthia Joyce and Pat McGorry AO, Executive Director, Challenge translated into the Australian environment for fund Orygen Youth Health joined Research Australia Chairman raising for Motor Neurone Disease. Christine Bennett AO, in a provocative debate.
15 University Comprising senior representatives from 25 university members of Research Australia, the University Roundtable provides a forum Roundtable for discussion of matters of relevance to universities in regards to health and medical research. We would like to acknowledge the leadership provided over the past few years by the Roundtable’s Chair, Professor Don Iverson, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design at Swinburne University. Don stood down from his role as Chair in early 2015 due to illness and we wish he and his family well. Our thanks also to Professor Alexandra McManus of Curtin University and Professor Richard Head of the University of South Australia for chairing meetings this year.
16 2015 Research Australia University Roundtable Representatives
Australian Catholic University Professor Patrick Heaven Dean of Research ANU Professor Kiaran Kirk Dean, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment Curtin University Professor Graeme Wright Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Development Deakin University Professor Joe Graffam Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Development and Training) Edith Cowan University Professor John Finlay-Jones Deputy VC, Research and Vice President Flinders University Professor Michael Kidd Executive Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Griffith University Professor David Shum Dean- Research (Health) James Cook University Professor Rhondda Jones Emeritus Professor Macquarie University Professor Patrick McNeil Executive Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Monash University Professor Ross Coppel Senior Deputy Dean and Director of Research in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Queensland University of Technology Professor Lyn Griffiths Executive Director, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation RMIT University Professor Peter McIntyre Deputy Director, Health Innovations Research Institute Southern Cross University Professor Geraldine Mackenzie DVC, Research Swinburne University of Technology Professor Don Iverson Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design University of Canberra Professor Rachel Davey Director, Centre for Research & Action in Public Health (CeRAPH) University of Melbourne Professor Mary Wlodek Deputy Dean, Melb School of Graduate Research University of Newcastle Professor Ian Symonds Head of the School of Medicine and Public Health
In this our 15th year, we would also University of Notre Dame Australia Associate Prof Michael Dodson Assoc Dean, Melbourne Clinical School like to acknowledge the Chair prior to Professor John Eisman Asscoc. Dean Clinical Leadership & Research Don, Professor Allan Cripps, of Griffith University, who also ably led the University of Queensland Professor Christina Lee Assoc Dean (Research) Faculty of Health & University Roundtable. Allan, a former Behavioural Sciences Research Australia Board member, University of South Australia Professor Richard Head Inaugural Director, Flagship Institute, Division of Information is retiring from his academic career Technology, Engineering and the Environment, University of this year. South Australia In addition to continuing the University of Sydney Professor Laurent Rivory Pro VC, Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships. Roundtable’s focus on research careers and research training, this year the University of Tasmania Professor Dominic Geraghty Deputy Dean, Graduate Research group has examined international University of Technology, Sydney Professor Liz Sullivan Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Health models for academic research, sources of funding for health and University of Western Australia Professor John Challis Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health and Medical Research) medical research in Australia, models for translation and the potential University of Wollongong Professor Jenny Beck Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health opportunities provided by the Medical Research Future Fund. * as at May 2015
17 18 Extending our international family
This year, Research Australia, Research!America, Research (former CEO of the Health Research Council of NZ) who was Canada and Research Sweden welcomed the latest addition to instrumental in securing financial support from the BUPA this sisterhood of organisations, with the incorporation of New Foundation in Australia. This support has kick-started the New Zealanders for Health Research! Zealand organisation in a range of ways, from funding the Our CEO Elizabeth Foley and three members of the New roadshow to enabling a report on the current investment in Zealand Establishing Committee undertook a road-show in health and medical research in New Zealand and opportunities August, travelling to Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and for the future. Research Australia’s supporter, Roy Morgan, Auckland on a highly successful membership drive. Over has also agreed to extend their involvement to New Zealand three days, Elizabeth met with more than 80 people from and lend their expertise to the New Zealand efforts, which universities, research organisations, government, business and will enable quality comparisons between our polling results foundations in New Zealand to encourage being part of the and those from across the Tasman. Early members cross the ‘kick-off- membership of New Zealanders for Health Research. spectrum of universities, research institutes, patient advocacy The level of interest was very high resulting in the organisation and philanthropic organisations, and industry. incorporating on 4 November 2015. Says Michelle of Elizabeth’s recent visit to New Zealand: Acting CEO of our sister organization in New Zealand “Having Elizabeth headlining our New Zealand roadshow is Dr Michelle Sullivan. As former CEO of NZBIO (NZ’s equivalent was invaluable. Our health research community was literally to Ausbiotech) she is familiar with the challenges of running gobsmacked by the achievements of Research Australia and a successful alliance and the need to build a strong and hearing Elizabeth’s presentation has really galvanized them into supportive membership base. The Establishing Committee action. As a nation, we want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with also includes Dr Di McCarthy (Former CEO of the Royal Society Australia in health research, and to do that we need to replicate of New Zealand), Graham Malaghan (Chair of the Malaghan some of Research Australia’s successes here in New Zealand”. Institute for Medical Research) and Dr Bruce Scoggins
< Graham Malaghan, Elizabeth Foley, Dr Michelle Sullivan and Dr Bruce Scoggins
19 Research Australia’s submissions Acknowledgements
Research Australia continues to participate actively in consultations on a range of topics affecting Australian health and medical Research Australia would also like to acknowledge the research. The following submissions have been made since 1 October 2014. following people for their support throughout the year:
Reduction in Value of R&D ACNC’s Interpretation of ‘Health Electronic Health Records Sabina Donnolley, of Donnolley Rush, our accountant Tax Incentive Promotion Charity’ June 2015 October 2014 February 2015 Industry Assistance in Queensland Review of the CRC Programme NHMRC Consultation on Principles for July 2015 November 2014 Accessing Publicly-Funded Data for Research Purposes Medical Research Future Fund Bill February 2015 Boosting Commercial Returns July 2015 from Research Independent Medical Research November 2014 Victorian HMR Strategy Dibbs Barker for legal advice Institutes Review August 2015 Strengthening Independent Medical February 2015 Research Institutes Research Training Review December 2014 Including donations to H&MR in eligibility for business Visas August 2015 Significant Investor Visas February 2015 Victorian Medical Technology and and Philanthropy Pharmaceuticals Strategy Mark Muller, CFO Cook Asia Pacific, our pro bono December 2014 International Education September 2015 company secretary May 2015 Crowd Sourced Equity Funding Review of research policy and National Diabetes Strategy January 2015 funding arrangements May 2015 September 2015 Pre Budget Submission 2015 Tax Review 2015 January 2015 Copies of the submissions are available June 2015 on our website.
Cameron Slapp, KPMG; our pro bono auditors
20 government submissions in 2014/15 compared to 9 in 2013/14
20 Business & Consumer Health Cooperative Research Philanthropic Organisations Research Centres Australia AskRIGHT Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Alertness, Safety & Productivity CRC Brooker Consulting Research Foundation Capital Markets CRC Colonial Foundation Arthritis Australia The HEARIng CRC & HEARworks Members Kennedy Austin Executive Search Arts & Health Australia Young and Well CRC Macquarie Group Foundation AUSiMED List Ogilvy PR Health Australian Cancer Research Foundation PwC Australian Gyncaological Cancer Foundation Government Agencies Roy Morgan Research Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation BioPharmaceuticals Australia Royal Hobart Hospital beyondblue Research Foundation Black Dog Institute Cancer Institute NSW Vogel Percy & Co Bowel Cancer Australia CSIRO VR Consulting Cancer Council Queensland Family Planning NSW Cerebral Palsy Alliance Queensland Office of Health & Medical Research Cure 4CF Foundation Cure Brain Cancer Foundation Cure Cancer Australia Foundation Diabetes Australia Research Trust Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education Franklin Women Heart Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Motor Neurone Disease Australia Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia National Breast Cancer Foundation National Stroke Foundation Osteoporosis Australia Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Rare Voices Australia Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation Life Members The Kids Cancer Project Prof Christine Bennett AO Unicorn Foundation Dr Chris Roberts Mr Peter Wills AC Dr Michael Wooldridge Ms Mary Woolley Prof John Niland AC Prof John Funder
21 H&MRI Health Corporates International Universities
ANZAC Research Institute Abbvie Affiliations Australian Catholic University Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute Amgen Australia FasterCures Australian National University Bionics Institute of Australia Bupa Health Foundation New Zealanders for Health Research Bond University Brain & Mind Research Institute Celgene Australia Medicines for Malaria Venture Curtin University Burnet Institute Cochlear Foundation Research!America Deakin University Centenary Institute Cook Medical Research Canada Edith Cowan University Children’s Cancer Institute Australia CSL Research Sweden Flinders University Children’s Medical Research Institute Genzyme Griffith University Garvan Institute of Medical Research GSK James Cook University Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Health Consult Professional & Macquarie University Heart Research Institute Intersect Australia Monash University Hunter Medical Research Institute Knowledge Translation Australia Industry Associations Southern Cross University Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia AAMRI Swinburne University of Technology Ingham Institute Roche Products ARCS University of Canberra Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation Teachers Health Foundation ATP Innovations University of Melbourne Kolling Institute of Medical Research Audiology Australia University of Newcastle Institute for Respiratory Health AusBiotech University of Notre Dame Australia Mater Medical Research Institute Health Services Australasian Research Management Society University of Queensland Menzies School of Health Research Australasian Society of Clinical & University of South Australia Australian Red Cross Blood Service Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Experimental Pharm & Toxicologists University of Sydney I-MED Network National Ageing Research Institute Australian Biospecimen Network Association University of Tasmania Royal Far West Neuroscience Research Australia Australian Clinical Trials Alliance University of Technology Sydney Royal Flying Doctors Service Orygen Research Centre Australian Self-Medication Industry University of Western Australia St John of God Healthcare QIMR Berghofer Institute of Medical Research Australian Society for Medical Research University of Wollongong St Vincent’s Health Australia Sax Institute Biomedical Research Victoria Western Sydney University Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network South Australia Health & Medical BioMelbourne Network Research Institute The Women’s & Children’s Health Network Life Sciences Queensland St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research Medical Technology Association of Australia The Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Medicines Australia Mental Health NSW Business Chamber The George Institute for Global Health RACP Foundation The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Society for Mental Health Research Medical Research Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Westmead Millennium Institute
22 Research Australia Research Australia 6 membership by segment membership location Overseas
11 33 Business & Consumer QLD Philanthropic Health Organisations 15
4 5 WA Cooperative Government 7 Research Agencies Centres
33 15 Research Health Institutes Corporates NSW ACT 7 8 6 SA Health International 7 Services Affiliations
VIC 20 26 78 Professional Universities & Industry TAS 39 Associations TOTAL 161 2
23 Research Foundation Australia Members and Partners Platinum
Gold
24 Silver
Bronze
25 Financial Summary Summary of financial statements
STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015 2015 2014
$ $
Revenue 808,726 899,270
Employee benefit expense (550,635) (476,289)
Depreciation and amortisation expense (7,266) (10,422)
Marketing and events expense (54,902) (132,965)
Travelling expenses (55,435) (64,431)
Consultancy and contractor expense (195,578) (172,250)
Administrative expenses (86,946) (91,970)
Total Expenses (950,762) (948,327)
Finance income 32,470 37,200
Finance expenses (2,130) (1,949)
Net finance income 30,340 35,251
The organisation is financially
healthy. Research Australia’s Loss for the year (111,696) (13,806)
main source of income continues Other comprehensive income - -
to be from membership Total comprehensive loss for the year (111,696) (13,806) fees. Our Government Funding Agreement with the Department of Health has been extended for another year so
as to continue to support our Financial information was extracted from the audited Financial Statement of Research Australia Ltd for the year ending 30 June 2015 and is included here for information purposes only. A full copy of the Financial Statements including Notes to the Financial Statements and the Audit opinions of KPMG are available on philanthropy program. request to Research Australia Ltd.
26 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2015 2015 2014 $ $ ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 526,508 144,556 Short Term Deposits 496,362 1,004,280 Trade and other receivables 256,748 247,523 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,279,618 1,396,359 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 18,555 17,598 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 18,555 17,598 TOTAL ASSETS 1,298,173 1,413,957
CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 580,118 591,233 Employee benefits 23,783 16,756 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 603,901 607,989 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Employee benefits - - TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITES - - TOTAL LIABILITIES 603,901 607,989
NET ASSETS 694,272 805,968 EQUITY Retained earnings 694,272 805,968 TOTAL EQUITY 694,272 805,968
Financial information was extracted from the audited Financial Statement of Research Australia Ltd for the year ending 30 June 2015 and is included here for information purposes only. A full copy of the Financial Statements including Notes to the Financial Statements and the Audit opinions of KPMG are available on request to Research Australia Ltd.
27 Sydney Office 384 Victoria Street DARLINGHURST NSW 2010 Melbourne Office Level 5, 215 Spring Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 www.researchaustralia.org