Australian researchers will receive a $222 million funding boost over the next five years for research into the nation's major health problems, including cancer and heart disease.
The new funding includes $188 million for Australian researchers currently working in hospitals, universities and medical research institutes across Australia. More than $12 million will also be spent on Capacity Building Grants in Population Health Research and $11 million spent under the NHMRC's Health Services Research Program.
In the area of cancer, for example, funding has been provided for research to find hidden breast cancer, better ways to screen for prostate and bowel cancer, and to prevent bowel cancer using diet and drugs.
"Other projects tackle the obesity epidemic, including a study of the activity patterns of pre-school children. Research to identify the genes responsible for high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and anxiety and depression will also proceed," Tony Abbott said.
Seven new Centres of Clinical Research Excellence, encouraging innovative clinical research and providing excellent training opportunities for new researchers, will also be funded.
These centres are located in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, and one in Queensland focussing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
"Research is the key to understanding diseases and how to better prevent, treat and cure them. The effort put into these projects over the next few years will have a positive effect on the health of all Australians," Mr Abbott said.