The Australian Genome Alliance is urging the Australian Federal Government to commit $150 million of new funds to genomic research over a five year period.  We advocate the establishment of a specialist genomics research fund, Genome Australia.

The Genome Australia concept is based on a model provided by Genome Canada. Many nations continue to invest heavily in genomics but this model offers the following key benefits:-

1. Australia will have the capacity to start and finish projects of national interest.  Projects will be funded in research areas where Australia has a clear competitive advantage.

2. Genome Australia will leverage support from other sources.  For a given project this may include State Governments, Research and Development Corporations, NGOs and the private sector.  The mix of funding and when it is injected into the research, development and commercialization pipeline will vary from project to project. 

3. Genome Australia will provide a mechanism for participation in major international genomics projects.  Equally, it will provide the capacity to choose to go it alone where this is necessary or deemed advantageous to do so.

4. Genome Australia will ensure that key stakeholders are brought together, delivering a coordinated research effort with high impact.  Projects will be initiated with a plan for the research, development and commercialization pipeline from genomic data to national benefit. 

5. The data sets flowing from funded genomics projects will provide an infrastructure upon which other research will build.  This will increase the power and cost effectiveness of research funded by agencies such as the ARC and the NHMRC. 

6. Genome Australia will deliver health, environmental, social and economic benefits to Australia that will dwarf the financial inputs being sought.