Labor calls on the Morrison Government to make Rapid Antigen Tests free for Australians via Medicare.
We have been saying for some time that nobody should be denied a test because they can’t afford one.
We have considered the options and it is clear that this is the simplest, most efficient, fairest and most responsible way to fix the mess that Scott Morrison has made of testing at this critical juncture of the pandemic.
As always, we are prepared to work with the Government to determine the best way to provide free tests through the Medicare system.
It’s clear from Scott Morrison’s ridiculous proposal today that he has absolutely no appreciation of the skyrocketing cost of these tests or the consequences of his failure to order enough of them, quickly enough.
We can’t have people at their most vulnerable and contagious being ripped off, or going undiagnosed, or travelling around cities, suburbs and towns searching in vain for tests they can’t find or afford.
Price is one consideration, we also need the Prime Minister to fix the supply issues he is responsible for as well.
In recent days we have been carefully considering the most economically responsible course of action and it’s clear that the cost of tests are dwarfed by the costs of the Prime Minister’s failures to do his job, his undermining of Medicare, and the economic and health consequences of people not being able to test for the virus.
This can’t wait for a change of government.
Scott Morrison needs to act now. His inability to take responsibility has cost Australians too much already.
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