- FightMND co-founder and former Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher, has attended a major funding announcement hosted at the Florey.
- The Federal Government is investing $40.1m to create the Neale Daniher National MND Clinical Network to continue the fight against motor neurone disease.
- The Network will support vital research and give more people, including regional Australians living with MND, access to treatment trials.
Strengthening Australia’s fight against MND
The Florey was honoured to host Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles, Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler, and MND advocate Neale Daniher AO, at the launch of a new national MND initiative.
The Federal Government is investing $40.1 million to create the Neale Daniher National MND Clinical Network and give more people with motor neurone disease (MND) access to treatment trials.
FightMND will be funded to establish the network, which will accelerate research, expand clinical trials and improve outcomes for people with motor neurone disease.
Neale Daniher AO is the 2025 Australian of the Year in recognition of his leadership and advocacy for MND research. He was diagnosed with the condition in 2013.
Supported by Government investment, FightMND has already funded 17 clinical trials involving more than 700 people with motor neurone disease at sites across Australia.
This new investment is expected to encourage pharmaceutical companies to bring more cutting-edge drug trials to Australians living with MND.
It will also increase the number of sites for clinical trials and make it easier for people with motor neurone disease in regional, rural and remote areas to participate.
This investment will also fund research to drive improvements in care for people living with MND.
Motor neurone disease is a progressive and fatal neurological condition affecting approximately 2,700 Australians. Every day in Australia 2 people are diagnosed with the condition and a further 2 people die of it.
Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said clinical trials were critical to increase knowledge, give access to new treatments and provide hope for Australians living with this disease.
“Neale Daniher has led a tireless fight for the MND community, accelerating research and giving hope to thousands of Australians.
“Motor neurone disease is one of the most harrowing conditions we face. It is progressive, fatal, and there is no known cure.
“We want to accelerate the development and delivery of effective treatments – and ultimately a cure – for MND.
“With the establishment of the Neale Daniher National MND Clinical Network we hope to improve outcomes for those living with this devastating condition.”
Neale Daniher welcomed the funding announcement.
“When I was named Australian of the Year in 2025, I asked the community to imagine. Imagine unlocking the mysteries of the neurological frontier right here in Australia.
“This funding commitment from the Albanese Government is a powerful step forward in this fight against the Beast.
“The science is advancing; the momentum is building and the establishment of the Neale Daniher National MND Clinical Network strengthens the foundations needed to drive real progress.
“This investment isn’t for my benefit. It’s about laying the foundations, so others don’t have to go through what I have.
“I’m deeply grateful for this support. It is going to help turn hope into action for future generations.”
Dr Thanuja Dharmadasa, deputy head of neurodegeneration and immunology research at The Florey, said the funding would strengthen Australia’s ability to deliver world-class care while accelerating discovery.
“The funding will establish Australia as a core destination for MND clinical trials globally, but also address local barriers to participation in MND trials for patients in regional, rural and remote areas, including barriers for First Nations peoples.
“I’m particularly excited about the dedicated funding investment to establish clinical research fellowships for PhD scholarships and early- to mid-career researchers that will foster and secure the next generation of MND clinical researchers.”
