Only Labor is delivering world-class care for more families, close to home.

In an Australian-first, the Allan Labor Government is establishing a dedicated clinical trial network for children.

A $2 million investment will establish the Victorian Paediatric Clinical Trial Network.

It will connect paediatric clinical trial sites and specialist staff across the state, ensuring better-coordinated research and improved access to new treatments for children.

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) will lead the establishment of the network.

Initially, the MCRI will partner with Monash Children’s Clinical Trial Centre and Barwon Health.

The network’s first focus will be on vaccine trials, before expanding to research including for rare genetic childhood neurological diseases and advanced therapies.

This project is part of Labor’s Economic Growth Statement, where medical research is a priority sector.

It will boost Victoria as a leading destination for investment in paediatric treatments and models of care.

Labor has invested more than $1 billion in health and medical research, driving economic growth and supporting breakthroughs in treatment and care for Victorians.