National Neuroscience Consultative Taskforce Established
The Australian Government has established a National Neuroscience Consultative Taskforce to provide advice on how Australia can best harness scientific advances in understanding and managing social and health problems associated with disorders of the mind and brain.
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Previous Ministers31 August 2004
ABB142/04
National Neuroscience Consultative Taskforce Established
The Commonwealth Government has established a National Neuroscience Consultative Taskforce to provide advice on how Australia can best harness scientific advances in understanding and managing social and health problems associated with disorders of the mind and brain.Brain and mind disorders are estimated to cost the Australian community $4 billion a year. The taskforce will develop strategies to prevent, reduce or contain the chronic and debilitating consequences of these disorders.
The Government has established this taskforce to further develop the recommendations in the 'Brain and Mind Disorders: Impact of the Neurosciences' report that was presented at the June 2003 meeting of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council.
Professor Judith Whitworth, Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University, has agreed to chair the taskforce.
The taskforce will bring together leaders in the fields of neuroscience, neurosurgery, psychiatry and psychology as well as members with broad experience in the community and consumer sector and in the biotechnology industry. Membership details are attached.
For more information on the Taskforce visit www.health.gov.au/nnct/.
For more information call Mr Abbott's office on ph 02 6277 7220.
Attachment 1
National Neuroscience Consultative Taskforce
Taskforce Chair
Professor Judith Whitworth, (Director, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian Capital Territory)Taskforce Membership
Professor Perry Bartlett (Queensland Brain Institute, Queensland)Professor Max Bennett (Director, Brain and Mind Research Foundation, New South Wales)
Professor William Blessing (Department of Human Physiology, Flinders University, South Australia)
Professor Assen Jablensky (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences University of Western Australia, Western Australia)
Professor Fred Mendelsohn (Director, Howard Florey Institute for Experimental Physiology and Medicine, Victoria)
Professor Steve Redman (Neuroscience Division, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian Capital Territory)
Professor Peter Schofield (Executive Director, Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, New South Wales)
Associate Professor Michael Wooldridge (Neurosciences Australia, Victoria)
Mr Myron Rogers (The Australian College of Neurosurgeons)
Dr Deborah Rathjen (CEO Bionomics Ltd)
Dr Marion Scarrabelotti (Clinical Neuropsychologist, Australian Capital Territory)
Mrs Sue Anthony (Consumer/Carer, New South Wales)