Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the federal government had months to prepare for the switch to rapid antigen tests, and they must be made free for everyone.
With daily coronavirus cases surpassing 60,000 for the first time amid widespread shortages of rapid antigen testing kits from pharmacies or supermarkets, the federal government is facing increasing pressure to make the tests freely available to everyone.
National case numbers jumped from less than 48,000 on Tuesday to well over 60,000 on Wednesday. So far 64,641 infections have been confirmed in all jurisdictions bar WA and the Northern Territory, with actual case numbers believed to be up to 10 times higher in the community. People have faced hours-long queues for PCR tests and others have scoured shops to secure home-testing kits as the Omicron outbreak continues to spread.
“I want to stress once again that those who are required to have a test, be it a rapid antigen test or a PCR test, those tests are free. They are free. Essential tests. So if you’re a close contact, if you’re symptomatic, those tests are free to all Australians,” he said.“The suggestion that tests are not free is untrue. The tests are free if you require one and are required to have one because you are a close contact or you’re symptomatic.
But the supply of rapid antigen tests was left up to the private market, with supermarkets, pharmacies and other retailers flagged as places people should go to get the tests. Rapid tests areVictoria launched a pilot program on Wednesday, handing out a small number of rapid antigen kits from five PCR facilities in Melbourne.. The cost of those tests would be split 50-50 between the state and federal governments, and provided through testing clinics to close contacts or people with symptoms..
“He said he didn’t hold a hose when it came to bushfires. Now he’s saying he doesn’t hold a testing kit. This is a prime minister who never accepts responsibility.”
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