Enhancing Suicide Prevention on R U OK & World Suicide Prevention Day

Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day, the Australian Government is officially launching vital suicide prevention aftercare services in six states and territories, as well as providing a further $19 million to extend leading national suicide prevention services.   Suicide prevention is a key priority for the Australian Government. In 2018,…

Health and medical research priorities to benefit all Australians

A national consultation process will guide the third set of the Morrison Government’s ground-breaking Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities for 2020–2022.   This consultation process will ensure the MRFF continues to target national health priorities for better health outcomes.   Determining future health priorities is about taking into account…

COVID-19 Vaccine Development

Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy supports early access to, and delivery of, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, as soon as they become available.   The Australian Government is pursuing a diversified COVID-19 vaccine strategy, ensuring that Australia is well placed to access a successful vaccine.   To date our Government has announced…

Australia leading the fight against FASD

As part of International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, the Morrison Government has committed nearly $24 million of funding for FASD Diagnostic and Support Services.   FASD is a brain injury resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol. It is a tragic problem – a preventable disorder that has a dreadful impact on mothers,…

Initial Commonwealth response to Victorian Roadmap

Today’s announcement from the Victorian Government to extend lockdown arrangements will be hard and crushing news for the people of Victoria, and a further reminder of the impact and costs that result from not being able to contain outbreaks of COVID 19, resulting in high rates of community transmission.   It is vital to the…

Australia leads way on global health action

Australia has led a successful push for worldwide action to tackle two key global health issues – cervical cancer and eye health.   The Morrison Government welcomes the recent adoption of two Australian-led resolutions by member states of the World Health Organization (WHO):   Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control: Accelerating the Elimination of Cervical Cancer…

Human biosecurity emergency period extended by three months

The Australian Government will extend the human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 by an additional three months. The emergency period, which has been in place since 18 March 2020, will now be in place until 17 December 2020. The extension of the emergency period was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided…

HMAS Cerberus: A Century of Service

This week is a significant anniversary on the Mornington Peninsula, with HMAS Cerberus formally commissioned as part of the Australian Defence Force 100 years ago. The Royal Australian Navy’s premier training establishment and oldest commissioned base, HMAS Cerberus was formally commissioned on 1 September 1920. Affectionately known as the ‘Cradle of the Navy’, Cerberus currently…

Funding boost for covid-19 research

The Australian Government is backing several Australian research projects aimed at finding breakthrough treatments, diagnostics and – the ultimate – a vaccine in the fight against COVID-19. Our Government has allocated $10.4 million for 13 early stage biomedical projects through Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) program, which forms part of the landmark Medical Research Future Fund…