Tony Abbott needs 'Plan B' on medical research fund
Deputy Greens Leader and Science & Research spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, and Greens spokesperson on Health, Senator Richard Di Natale today said it’s time for Tony Abbott to go to Plan B on his medical research fund.
“Last night, Tony Abbott tried to turn Australia’s top medical researchers into lobbyists for his unfair GP copayment,” said Mr Bandt.
“Our medical researchers should be spending their time doing what they do best. It is up to Tony Abbott to ensure they have the resources to continue their work in world-leading medical research.”
“Tony Abbott needs to accept he will not get his GP co-payment through the Senate, so he should separate the medical research fund from his GP fee.”
"If he's serious about supporting health and medical research, instead of cutting investment in research to a 30-year low, Tony Abbott needs to come up with a 'Plan B' for his medical research fund,” said Mr Bandt.
“Tony Abbott last night implored researchers to knock on the cross benchers’ doors about supporting the Medical Research Future Fund,” said Senator Di Natale.
“The fund is a good model and provides certainty to medical research community, but we don’t pay for it on the back of poor people who can’t afford to go and see a doctor.”
“My doors are always open to the health minister if he wants to talk to us about how else he could fund Australian medical research.”