The McGowan Government, HBF and the resources sector will be partnering together to provide funding for world-class COVID-19 research in Western Australia.
The partnership will fund Western Australia's vital COVID-19 research, including the expansion of the McGowan Government's DETECT program, designed to determine the presence of any undetected COVID-19 in key sentinel groups or settings.
The McGowan Government will also introduce changes to legislation before the Parliament next week that will support the injection of up to $6 million into COVID-19 research and innovation.
Once passed, the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund will significantly increase investment into medical research, transforming Western Australia into a leader in medical research and innovation.
The fund is part of the McGowan Government's commitment to invest in a long-term health and medical research and innovation fund that will improve the future health and prosperity of all Western Australians.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"We are at a unique time where we can really appreciate the important role health and medical research plays.
"COVID-19 has shown the importance of understanding the science behind the transmission of this virus and the need to develop vital treatment and vaccines.
"Over the last several weeks, we have been expanding our testing and now we are in a strong position to look closer at this virus and try to understand how it works, its impact and how to beat it.
"We have some world-class medical researchers in WA and because of the good work of all Western Australians, we are in a privileged position of being able to look closer at the research the world needs."
