The new South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute has been officially opened in Adelaide, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott appearing on site alongside SA Premier Jay Weatherill to cut the tape and declare the doors open.

The $200 million federally-funded building has been greatly needed since before the first soil was turned by former health minister Nicola Roxon, under a Labor government in July 2010.

Now that it is complete, the centre can provide facilities for close to 600 staff. It has room for research to be undertaken in vital areas including cancer and heart disease, infant care, nutrition, infection, and Aboriginal health.

Premier Jay Weatherill says South Australia will put up another $15 million for ongoing running costs on the project, he says the latest injection will bring the state's spending up to $85 million for the site.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged and brushed-over the contribution of the former government with the following words;

“This building, sure, it was mainly funded by $200 million from the former Federal Government and I acknowledge my predecessor Julia Gillard who was responsible for that commitment,” he said.

“But this building doesn't belong to the Federal Government or the State Government or to one side of politics or to the other side of politics.

“In the end it doesn't even belong to Adelaide or South Australia. It belongs to humanity because all of humanity will benefit from the work that is done in this building.”

The Governments both say the plan is part of a movement to centralise health services in a local precinct, and will boost the revitalisation of Adelaide's west end.