Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health

The Commonwealth Department of Science and Industry has provided funds for the establishment of a CRC for Aboriginal and Tropical Health, involving the Menzies School of Health Research, the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Darwin’s Danila Dilba Medical Service, the Northern Territory University, the Territory Health Services and Flinders University of South Australia. Once negotiations currently underway are finalised, the Commonwealth will provide $14 million over seven years to be matched on a 2:1 basis in cash and kind by the participating agencies.

The CRC will be managed by a Board with an independent Aboriginal chairperson and a majority of Aboriginal members. The Board will set the priorities for the research to be undertaken. The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, has agreed to be Patron of the Centre and Professor John Mathews, Director of Menzies School of Health Research, has been named as the inaugural Director.

The Centre will have five major programs with commitment to improving interaction between health research, Aboriginal health, health service delivery and education sectors. Strategic research and conveyance of existing knowledge will be undertaken in appropriate cultural contexts.