About Us

Background

The Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) was founded in 1993 to improve communication between the independent medical research institutes and represent their needs to government, business and the public. Initially, there were 18 founding institutes and Professor John Mills, then Director of the Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health was AAMRI's inaugural President.

Subsequently, a further 18 independent medical research institutes have been admitted to full membership. Currently, AAMRI's President is Professor Garry Jennings, Director of the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute who took on the role of President for two years in November 2006.

In recognition of the importance of Federal Government policies and funding via the Department of Health and Ageing and the National Health and Medical Research Council, AAMRI has established a National Office in Canberra with political consultants, Carney Associates, and its principal, Mr Stephen Carney. In close liaison with the office of the AAMRI President, Mr Carney maintains an ongoing and close relationship with the key relevant decision makers in Canberra, advising AAMRI on political strategies and providing a vital link between the medical research institutes and politicians.

AAMRI's goals are to:

- represent the interests of medical research institutes to government, industry, the public and the university sector

- coordinate communication between the medical research institutes and improve scientific and administrative collaboration amongst those institutes to government and the public

- facilitate the creation of a fiscal and regulatory environment that will ensure the efficient conduct of research, and the practical application of that research by AAMRI members

- ensure that government, business and the public are aware of the contributions that medical research makes to improving human health, particularly through the activities of medical research institutes