MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
McMullan
The Australian Government will establish stronger alliances with a range of domestic, regional and international partners to improve the quality and effectiveness of health sector development assistance in the Asia-Pacific region.
We will provide up to $24 million over four years to establish Health Knowledge Hubs with the Nossal Institute; the University of New South Wales; the University of Queensland; and the Centre for International Child Health, Menzies School of Health Research and the Burnet Institute.
This funding will align with other steps being taken to improve the quality and effectiveness of our health development assistance, including through increased investments in research.
Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, will sign multi-year funding agreements with the four Hubs today (World Health Day) in Melbourne.
'These hubs will assist in improving the effectiveness of the Australian Government's development assistance program in health,' Mr McMullan said.
'They will make a substantial contribution to the generation and application of knowledge of practical value to our programs, to partner country governments, and our broader development partners.'
'Each hub will work both within and outside academia, to develop a critical mass of knowledge and expertise in their respective field, linking people, strengthening and expanding networks and identifying opportunities for collaboration.'
The Melbourne-based Nossal Institute for Global Health will focus on health policy and health financing issues. The University of New South Wales will explore human resources for health issues. The University of Queensland School of Public Health will focus on health information systems and burden of disease issues. And the Melbourne-based Burnet Institute - along with the Centre for International Child Health (University of Melbourne) and the Darwin-based Menzies School of Health Research - will focus on women's and children's health issues.
Media Contacts:
Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590