RESEARCH AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23
ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
CONTENTS
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CHAIR AND CEO FOREWORD YEAR IN REVIEW JULY 2022–JUNE 2023 COLLABORATIVE STRATEGY POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND SUBMISSIONS RESEARCH AUSTRALIA ADVISORY SERVICES THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS RESEARCH AUSTRALIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Front Cover: © Siobhan for La Trobe Rural Health School Right: © Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Research Australia
OUR VISION Health and prosperity through Australian research and innovation
OUR MISSION Maximise the impact of all stages of health and medical research and innovation.
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
CHAIR AND CEO FOREWORD Research Australia celebrates 22 years as the only peak body to represent the entire health and medical research pipeline. Over this time, Research Australia has been successfully advocating for effective, long term and sustainable outcomes for Australian health and medical research and innovation.
Research Australia continues to thoughtfully challenge the status quo, leading the sector through a period of enormous change, driven by new, innovative technologies and emerging challenges in health, including an ageing population, chronic disease and the COVID-19 pandemic. We have worked hard to secure bipartisan political commitment to a national, strategic approach to public investment in health and medical research. Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care reaffirmed the Australian Government’s support for a National Health and Medical Research Strategy in his personalised video address at the recent 2023 Research Australia Awards. These Awards have been the backdrop for Research Australia to come together with government and our members to recognise excellence in health and medical research. The 2022 Awards provided the backdrop for for Assistant Minister Kearney to announce the establishment of the Government's Women's Health Advisory Council and the inclusion of Research Australia's CEO Nadia Levin. We also extended our strategic advisory services successfully delivering bespoke solutions to public and private sector, government, researchers, for purpose organisations and industry. As part of our commitment to ensuring sector wide investment strategies Research Australia developed the $700m MRFF Frontiers Fund in partnership with the Department of Health and Aged Care. The MRFF has delivered nearly a $2.9 billion investment in audacious innovations at the very frontiers of what we know about human health.
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Research Australia
Research must be deeply embedded in healthcare, it is fundamental to continuously improving the care Australians receive. To that end, Research Australia successfully advocated for the inclusion of research in the 5th National Mental Health Plan and supported it's ongoing implementation. We continue to champion research in the work we do through our Mental Health Working Group. So too, we have worked with our members to shine a light on the urgent need for more research in obesity prevention and treatment. This year we continued to call for better future proofing of the health of all Australians through the collective expertise of our members and accelerating research translation into actionable outcomes. From our advisory services and sector projects to the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Medical Research and the ongoing work of our member working groups, we strive to create opportunities for positive change and growth in our sector.
Assoc. Prof Annette Schmiede Chair
We simply could not do the work that we do without the support of our members. We are proud to be the voice of Australian health and medical research, championing the amazing work that you do to the government and the Australian people. We look forward to working with you, advocating for you, and celebrating the extraordinary talent that is embodied in the Australian health and medical research system. We thank our Board colleagues for their support, advice and comradery as we continue championing our impressive health and medical research sector, delivering on our strategic goals, and ultimately working to improve Australians’ health outcomes.
Nadia Levin CEO & Managing Director, Research Australia
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
YEAR IN REVIEW
JULY 2022– JUNE 2023 Research Australia’s prestigious University Roundtable is a key convening point for 127 academic research leaders across Australia. Chaired by Professor Russell Gruen, the University Roundtable met 4 times in 22-23 to cover a range of important themes including: • • •
Early and midcareer researchers Clinician researchers Better positioning University research to engage with government and industry
Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb AC
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Research Australia
Research Australia’s Philanthropy Roundtable is an important community of practice for fundraising and advancement leads across Research Australia’s membership. During 2023 we focused discussion on the Government’s commitment to doubling philanthropy and the Productivity Commission’s review of Australian philanthropy. We also explored themes around remuneration of consumer participants in research, this work is continuing through our Consumer Remuneration Working Group. 60 attendees discussed the current economic environment post COVID and strategies for economic sustainability. The Research Australia Health Economics Roundtable was established in 2017 to connect health economists from within Research Australia’s membership with the broader research community and government. It exists as a forum for collaboration, discussion and advice on emerging issues. In 2023 the Health Economics Roundtable met virtually in April, where 102 attendees focused on the value of health innovation across the pipeline, the economic impact of health services research and close examination of the HTA Review. The Health Economics Working Group further champions both health economics and health services research.
Member Event Series is a new digital engagement forum to bring members rapid updates on key emerging issues in health and medical research policy. In 2023 Research Australia held briefings on the Federal Budget, policy reform of the Medical Research Future Fund and Medical Research Endowment Account, and how to attract philanthropic funding with a total of 230 attendees.
Australia Speaks Opinion Poll Every year Research Australia partners with Roy Morgan to test Australians’ attitudes to health and medical research through our national Australia Speaks! polling. This year revealed that 3 out of 4 Australians agree the Australian Government should be spending MORE on health and medical research.
2023
This poll has
PUBLIC OPINION POLL Health & Medical Research & Innovation
4,774 impressions on social media.
Connecting. Engaging. Influencing. Since 2003
2022 | 02
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2022 | 025
INSPIRE is our quarterly publication showcasing research and researchers, innovation and technology, advocacy, and philanthropy.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATI FOR GLOBAL IMPAON CT
AND EARCHERS TEM CLINICAL RES CARE SYS THE HEALTH ICAL
G CLIN CELEBRATIN ELLENCE EXC RESEARCH & MEDICAL 2022 HEALTHCH AWARDS RESEAR
2023 | 027 2023 | 0
INSPIRE has had
18,472
HEALTH INNOVATIONS THAT IMPROVE LIVES AND INNOVATIONS IN OUR HEALTH SYSTEMS
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FUTURE PLANNIN WORKFORCE G– THE OPPO WHAT ARE AND CHALRTUNITIES LENGES? WHAT AR E ROLES IN THE FUTURE HE AL TH AN MEDICAL RESEARCHD ?
social media impressions.
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
YEAR IN REVIEW
JULY 2022– JUNE 2023
The nation’s brightest scientific minds and advocates were recognised in Research Australia’s 20th Health and Medical Research Awards, celebrating the extraordinary researchers, philanthropists, and community champions who are leading work with transformational impact for patients and the health sector. Acknowledging talent and excellence in our sector is not only a key part of Research Australia’s role in advocating for health and medical research, it is also paramount to encouraging future generations of great researchers. This year the awards were held in Sydney and were supported by 400 attendees, 60 finalists, 9 awards and 9 amazing Sponsors.
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Research Australia
Research Australia partnered with Novo Nordisk, to launch the Australian Obesity Research: Global leadership and local change. This important report was launched at Australian Parliament House, Canberra, and NSW Parliament alongside Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Hon Brad Hazzard MP, former NSW Health Minister. This report has had 4,163 social media impressions.
Former NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard MP launching the Australian Obesity Research: Global leadership and local change report at NSW Parliament House on 17 November 2022 and Aged
Australian obesity research Global leadership and local change
This report has
4,163 social media impressions.
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Member Working Groups
1. Health Economics Working Group Health Economics Working Group: Established in 2023, this group brings together key experts in health economics to connect expertise and insights with government to work towards improving funding and impact for the health economics research community and further leverage the role of the Research Australia Health Economics Roundtable in informing health economic policy and reform. 2. Early and Mid-Career Researcher Working Group Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Working Group: Established in 2022, members of this group are EMCR representatives of Research Australia’s members. The group provides a forum to encourage collaboration and investigate matters of relevance to EMCRs in Australian health and medical research as well as develop potential responses and solutions to identified challenges. 3. Consumer Remuneration Working Group Consumer Remuneration Working Group: Established in 2023, this group brings together experts in consumer-engaged research to undertake a project exploring approaches to consumer remuneration. The project will develop a sector standard approach to consumer remuneration and showcase best practice approaches across the sector. This working group is jointly facilitated by ANU and Research Australia.
EMCR Working Group presented to Parliamentary Friends of Health and Medical Research
4. Mental Health Working Group Mental Health Working Group; Established in 2023 this group of experts seeks to identify, and advise government on, what priorities in mental health research funding should be, based on areas of greatest need and of greatest potential impact.
DIRECT MAIL TO MEMBERS We regularly communicate with our members to share member updates, to inform members about current and new grant opportunities, to advise on policy changes and to keep our membership updated in news in health and medical research.
In the past 12 months we sent 176 EDMs, which were opened by 72,220 stakeholders across our membership!
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
COLLABORATIVE STRATEGY Research Australia is in the unique position of being the voice of health and medical research participants right across the health and medical research pipeline. It is because of this unique position we have broad insight into what patients and consumers, funders, researchers and commercial groups can contribute and require from it. Championing Australian Health & Medical Research Health & Medical Research to 2026 Collaborative Strategy 2023
We also have a long history of demonstrated expertise in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing Australian health and medical research and we understand the stakeholders who influence the sector’s future. Our Collaborative Strategy outlines our vision and goals to help shape the Australian of health and medical research landscape for the next three years.
A National, Strategic Approach to Australian Health and Medical Research In a world of finite resources, Austr alia’s investment in health and medical research must be targeted at areas of greatest health need and great est economic opportunity.
Australian health and medical researc hers’ remarkable advancements include : • Penicillin • IVF pregnancy • Identifying the bacteria respons ible for most peptic ulcers • The electronic pacemaker • The cervical cancer vaccine • Lifesaving SIDS interventions Approximately 0.4% of GDP is spent on health and medical research1, from five federal portfolios, states and territori es, philanthropy, higher education and private enterprise. 1 Australian Institute of Health and
RA0076 Strategy leave behind D2.indd
The complexity of Australia’s funding landscape means some parts of research lack the funding they need, while other parts of research receive multiple funding streams. With a strategic, national approa ch, Australia can better realise the benefit s of its significant investment in health and medical research. Discoveries can be more quickly implemented into better care and new innovations can be more quickly brought to market.
Welfare (2021) Health Expenditu re Australia 2019-20. Canberra: AIHW
1 31/8/2023 11:51 pm
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Research Australia
OUR KEY AREAS OF FOCUS AND BUDGET OUTCOMES ARE DETAILED BELOW. STRATEGY
OBJECTIVE
ACTIONS
OUTCOMES
PROGRESS TO DATE
Advancing digital health technology and health data
Harness the power of data and digital health technologies to accelerate advances in health
• Promote the fundamental importance of health data and the digitisation of healthcare in enabling better health outcomes and advances in health innovation
The way data is stored, linked and access for research is significantly improved
• New digital health award category introduced for the 2023 Annual Health and Medical Research Awards
Research Australia has a more active role in publicly promoting the use of health data for research
• Submissions to Office of the National Data Commissioner draft Code of Conduct, review of the Privacy Act 1988, review of the use of Health Identifiers in the health system, and a proposal to make better use of GP data held in GP software and the need for oversight of software supporting GPs to make clinical decisions
• Encourage policy, investment and infrastructure • Facilitating research partnerships for digital health initiatives Embedding research in the health system
Build stronger collaboration and data sharing between researchers, consumers, industry, health practitioners and health systems
• Promote faster implementation and adoption • Promote adoption of emerging technologies e.g., AI, in healthcare settings • Advocate for National Strategy • Showcase research and healthcare • Broker relationships that support a culture of research and advance the adoption of research into practice, including by supporting collaboration points e.g. AHRTCs, precincts and networks
Smarter investment in health and medical research and innovation
Balance resources with need, capacity and opportunity
• Advocate for a nationally coordinated strategic investment with a sharper focus on outcomes, and impact and domestic manufacturing • Campaign for the investment needed in the workforce at all stages to support sovereign capability, from basic research through to its application • Champion commercialisation
Research supporting new opportunities for digital health to enable healthcare equity and healthcare efficiency
• Health data webinar held on 25 October with 142 attendees from across Australia
Seek and showcase evidence of how healthcare is increasingly based on the latest and best evidence.
• Submissions to National Dementia Action Plan and the National Health Literacy Strategy
More research partnerships to address priorities identified by the health system, patients and the public
• Over 1000 Australians participated in the 2022 Roy Morgan Opinion Poll on Australians’ attitudes to health and medical research
The health and medical research ecosystem better serves the Australian community and researchers through more effective participation by public, private and not-forprofit funders and industry partners
• Delivered a ten-year Research Strategy for a national network of hospitals and aged care
• Published detailed research reviews of key areas of clinical need, obesity and arthritis • Convened a meeting at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute of 80 government and research leaders to participants discuss the innovation and investment that is being undertaken in Queensland • Launched Parliamentary Friends of Health and Medical Research • Submissions on the Budget (2), the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) (2), advanced manufacturing, review of the Australian Research Council, the Universities Accord Discussion and the Philanthropy Inquiry
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND SUBMISSIONS Research Australia has made multiple submissions in the last financial year and all submissions reflect not only the advocacy work of Research Australia but, importantly, the views and input of our members. The following table lists the inquires and consultations to which Research Australia responded in 2022/23.
The details of these submissions can be viewed on Research Australia’s website here. researchaustralia.org/category/submissions/ The table overleaf outlines some of the policy work during the financial year but does not include the verbal submissions or responses by Research Australia representatives into the various inquiries or Senate hearings during the same period.
© Siobhan for La Trobe Rural Health School
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Research Australia
SEPTEMBER 2022
The Office of the National Data Commissioner released a draft Code of Conduct to provide further guidance on how to apply the data sharing principles, privacy protections, the public interest test, ethics requirements, and data sharing agreements
OCTOBER 2022
2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission to Treasury ahead of the incoming Government’s ‘mini budget’
NOVEMBER 2022
Australian Government Department of Health released a draft National Health Literacy Strategy
DECEMBER 2022
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care commenced a targeted consultation on the proposal to develop an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) The Minister for Education launched an Independent Review of the Australian Research Council (ARC)
JANUARY 2023
2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission – Research Australia’s submission to the Treasurer calls for strategic investment in health and medical research and innovation in the May 2023 Budget The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care released a draft Dementia Action Plan for comment
FEBRUARY 2023
The Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources undertook a public consultation on its implementation plan for the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) Research Australia responded to the Senate Inquiry into the National Reconstruction Fund Bill, urging its passage with minor amendments The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care undertook a review of the use of Health Identifiers in the health system
MARCH 2023
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care undertook a consultation on a proposal to make better use of GP data held in GP software and the need for oversight of software supporting GPs to make clinical decisions
APRIL 2023
Attorney General’s Department commenced a Review of the Privacy Act 1988 with comments sought in response to a discussion paper A Parliamentary Inquiry into developing advanced manufacturing in Australia The first round of consultation on the Universities Accord Discussion
MAY 2023
The Productivity Commission initiated an Inquiry, ‘Doubling Philanthropy by 2030’ to advise the Australian Government on how this goal can be achieved
JUNE 2023
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care undertook an initial consultation to inform the Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
© Perron Institute
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Research Australia
RESEARCH AUSTRALIA ADVISORY SERVICES Consulting Expertise and Bespoke Advice OUR WORK Research Australia has provided specialist consulting and advisory services for many years. Our consultancy services continue to consistently grow each year, driven by our unique expertise, reputation for high quality work, and strong relationships to drive outcomes and influence system change.
Most recently we have worked with state and federal governments, patient groups, industry, hospitals, and aged care. Some of the consulting services Research Australia provides are:
Market scanning – detailed analysis of who is undertaking what research to inform project planning and ensure projects target the right health and medical research stakeholders.
Sector consultation – facilitating engagement with the health and medical research community and the consumers who can best inform approaches to health and medical research.
Policy advice – on the funding streams, government policy landscape and political interests that impact your projects’ success.
Grants guidance – evaluating and reviewing grants opportunities and funding programs.
OUR CLIENTS SAY “Arthritis Australia was delighted to partner with Research Australia to formulate a national strategy for arthritis and musculoskeletal research. The work conducted by Research Australia was of the highest quality both in terms of the evidence-based investigation and the formulation of results into a cohesive strategy with clearly defined outcomes and recommendations. The Research Australia team worked collaboratively throughout the project in a clear and defined manner. It was also completed on time and on budget! We were well informed of progress throughout which helped to manage the expectations of both internal and external stakeholders. This, in turn, helped us to plan advocacy on the anticipated outcomes to assist in ensuring the recommendations can be achieved.” Jonathan Smithers, CEO Arthritis Australia
L to R - Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Health Minister and Aged Care, Kaylene Hubbard (Chair, Arthritis Australia), and Jonathan Smithers (CEO, Arthritis Australia), launching the Impactful Arthritis report at Federal Parliament House on 29 November 2022.
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS Research Australia wishes to sincerely thank our members for their ongoing loyalty and support. We are delighted to be the voice of Australian Health and Medical Research. Your active and engaged contribution and commitment to the Research Australia alliance gives us the strength to fulfil our vision and mission. We are genuinely proud to represent each and every organisation in our membership.
A special thanks to our two current Foundation Members Telstra Health and Calvary Health Care for their membership support and contributions and in their unfailing participation in the key activities of Research Australia.
We would also like to extend a sincere thanks to KPMG for performing Research Australia’s annual audit for over 10 years.
If your organisation is not a member then now is the time to join Research Australia, the only national peak body to represent all sections of the vibrant and active Australian health and medical research sector. To talk more about the benefits of membership please contact your Research Australia team on 02 9295 8546 or admin@researchaustralia.org. Follow us on X @ResAustralia Like us on Facebook @ResearchAustralia Follow us on Linkedin Research Australia
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Research Australia
© Perron Institute
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
RESEARCH AUSTRALIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS* We would like to give our appreciation to our Chair and Board of Directors who are tireless in their advocacy for health and medical research. They represent the sector across the public and private sector. Thank you all for your contribution.
Assoc. Prof Annette Schmiede Chair since December 2020 CEO of the Digtal Health CRC Director since May 2015
Professor Dawn Freshwater Deputy Chair since February 2021 Vice-Chancellor, The University of Auckland Director since August 2019
Nadia Levin Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Research Australia Director since January 2016
Peter Wills AC Director, Wills Advisory Pty Ltd Founder and Director since 2000 Deputy Chair from February 2011 to February 2021
Professor Nicholas Fisk AM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise), UNSW Sydney Director since December 2015
Elizabeth Koff AM Managing Director, Telstra Health Director since July 2022
Professor Russell Gruen Australian National University Dean of the College of Health and Medicine Director since September 2023
Professor Patricia M. Davidson Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong Director since 2023
* Board of Directors as at 1st December 2023
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Research Australia
Dr Andrew Nash Senior Vice President – Research, CSL Limited Director since November 2013
Assoc. Prof Greg Kaplan Chief Operating Officer, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research Director since November 2014
Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE Patron Research Australia is honoured to have internationally renowned scientist, Sir Gustav Nossal as its Patron. He has been a longstanding, significant figure in Australia's medical and scientific community.
Martin Bowles AO PSM National Chief Executive Officer, Calvary Healthcare Australia Director since August 2020
Emeritus Professor Christine Bennett AO Patron Professor Christine Bennet has a longstanding association with Research Australia, and is a leading commentator and strategist on health reform in Australia and internationally.
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ANNUAL REPORT | 2022-2023
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Research Australia is financially sound and has met all its financial obligations. Its main source of income continues to be from membership and sponsorship. STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 Note
2023
2022
$
$
Revenue
4
1,415,131
1,234,857
Employee benefits expense
5
(1,067,903)
(793,374)
Depreciation and amortisation expense
8
(5,429)
(4,404)
Marketing and events expense
(207,123)
(140,909)
Travelling expenses
(13,675)
(9,927)
Consultancy and contractor expense
(99,139)
(73,637)
Administrative expenses
(132,230)
(96,251)
Total Expenses
(1,525,499)
(1,118,502)
Finance income
22,018
1,970
Finance expenses
(290)
(231)
Net finance income
21,728
1,739
Income for the year
(88,640)
118,094
Other comprehensive income Total comprehensive income for the year
(88,640)
118,094
The statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements.
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Research Australia
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2023 Note
2023
ASSETS
2022 $
CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents
919,464
889,680
Term deposits
446,851
434,851
341,666
438,515
Trade and other receivables
7
Contract Asset
54,837
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
1,707,981
1,817,883
NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, plant and equipment
8
5,909
10,953
Intangible assets
9
2,000
2,000
7,909
12,953
1,715,890
1,830,836
954,479
986,677
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables
10
Employee benefits
11
98,247
92,355
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
1,052,726
1,079,032
TOTAL LIABILITIES
1,052,726
1,079,032
NET ASSETS
663,164
751,804
663,164
751,804
663,164
751,804
EQUITY Retained earnings TOTAL EQUITY
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The statement of financial position is to be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements
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