FIONA PHILLIPS
MEMBER FOR GILMORE

PHILLIPS CALLS ON THE PRIME MINISTER TO MAKE
RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING FREELY AVAILABLE

Federal member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, is calling on the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to urgently change his stance and make Rapid Antigen Testing kits freely available calling it “un-Australian” that some people would have to pay.

“We’re in a pandemic and this Government has had since September, when the TGA approved rapid tests, to put in place a system so that anyone who wants and needs a test can do so. They have failed,” Mrs Phillips said.

“This is all being handled in a manner consistent with the way the Prime Minister handled the bushfires two years ago and the way he handled the vaccine roll-out last year”, Mrs Phillips said.

“It’s a year ago since he said the “vaccine can wait”. And here we have another on-the-fly underdone change and it's just not good enough.”

Mrs Phillips adding, “No one should be excluded from getting a rapid antigen test because they don’t carry a concession card, our health system is based upon the principle of Medicare - that people get the healthcare they need when they require it.”

“Local businesses and workers need access to Rapid Antigen Tests – they’ve been through so much and the government needs to support them to stay safe and keep our local economy going.”

“This latest Morrison Government response is again way too little, and far too late. It never prepares for what is necessary”, Mrs Phillips concluded.