In February of this year, the Liberal National Government committed to providing $54.5m for T1D research, ensuring that the vital work of the Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network (CRN) can continue. Earlier in the year, the ALP had also committed $50m to support type 1 diabetes research, if elected. This support, which is bipartisan, means the integral role the CRN plays in supporting world class Australian research into the cure, prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes can continue to impact people with T1D, both in Australia and around the world.

The CRN is vital to all Australians with type 1 diabetes as it provides access to innovative clinical trials while supporting researchers to work together with Australian and international colleagues to ensure innovations and discoveries are translated from the lab into safe, effective treatments.

To date, the CRN, which was started with a $5m grant by the ALP in 2010 and received a further $35m of support from the Coalition in 2014, has ensured over 13,000 Australians have contributed to a greater understanding of type 1 diabetes and has seen 11 world-first studies being conducted here in Australia. One of the intended projects would be to increase the understanding of the natural history and causes of type 1 diabetes, potentially leading to novel prevention approaches. Eventually, this would provide doctors with critical information that would help with the earlier detection of the autoimmune process that leads to type 1 diabetes, allowing for early specialised care and minimising hospital admissions. Research such as this would only be possible through a vehicle like the CRN.