Print PageThe government will spend more than $70 million on three new centres to research cell therapy, autism, eye care in remote communities and workplace safety.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs) will bring together researchers, industry, communities and government to produce world-leading research that addresses major challenges in the public and private sectors.
She says the CRC for Alertness, Safety and Productivity will receive $14.5 million to reduce the burden of impaired alertness on the safety, productivity and health of all Australians.
The CRC for Cell Therapy Manufacturing will receive $20 million to help make Australia a world leader in the manufacture of cell therapies. These offer exciting possibilities for a range of previously incurable and difficult-to-treat conditions.
The CRC for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders will receive $31 million to enhance the lives of individuals with lifelong development disabilities arising from an autism spectrum disorder.
Ms Gillard says an additional $5 million will enable the Vision CRC to dramatically improve eye care in remote environments by developing a world-first intelligent retinal camera.
"These projects have been chosen following a competitive, merit based process as part of the 15th selection round of the CRC program. There is $240 million in available funding for Round 16, which closes in June 2013," she said in a statement.
