The federal government has warned it will take "strong, clear, swift" action against any price-gouging of rapid antigen tests, as demand for the kits continues to outstrip supply.
Key points:
- Mr Hunt said the government would make sure there was no price gouging after discussions with suppliers
- Stocks for rapid antigen tests have struggled to keep up with demand
- National cabinet will discuss when rapid antigen tests should be used
There are reports the tests are being sold for more than double their usual retail price, as highly sought-after stock disappears from shelves.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said while the government expected large numbers of the tests in coming days to satisfy demand, in the interim any dramatic test price hikes were unacceptable.
"We will have a discussion with the suppliers to make sure there is no price-gouging," Mr Hunt said.
"If there were, as we did last year, we would take strong, clear, swift action."
The faster-acting tests have been in the spotlight in recent days, as the nation's daily case numbers rise rapidly and the PCR-testing process continues to be plagued by queues and delays.
But stock has struggled to keep up with demand, prompting states like Victoria to voice their frustration with the Commonwealth.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth would pick up 50 per cent of the cost of the rapid tests procured by the states, however he said state governments were ultimately responsible for securing and distributing the tests.
He said the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg would pursue the issue with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
"Anyone who's doing that, they should be reporting that to the ACCC, and I would encourage them to do that," he said on Wednesday.
"And that's something that I know the Treasurer would be moving on with the Chair of the ACCC if someone was seeking to do something of that nature."
Speaking in Adelaide on Thursday, federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the government should be doing more to make them available.
"[Mr Morrison] is always playing catch up, always waits until an issue becomes a crisis before there's any movement whatsoever, and then always is looking for someone else to blame," he said.
"What we need today is some national leadership, something that's been sorely lacking from this Prime Minister."
Greg Hunt dismisses criticism of proposed new close-contact definition
Discussion surrounding when rapid antigen tests should be used will also feature at Thursday's emergency national cabinet meeting, as the nation's leaders seek to recalibrate their response to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Under the definition that will be presented to national cabinet, a close contact would be someone who has spent four hours or more with a confirmed case in a household-like setting, and they would only be required to quarantine for seven days.
The Australian Medical Association has criticised the proposal, arguing it could accelerate the outbreak.
But Mr Hunt dismissed the comments, saying the government was relying on advice from its expert panels — as it had done throughout the pandemic.
"I respect that there are many views, but theirs is the authoritative view," he said.
"That's what we'll continue to do."
NYE is on Friday, but don't go too crazy
The federal government is also urging caution at New Year's Eve celebrations on Friday amid record daily case increases.
New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland collectively recorded almost 20,000 daily cases on Thursday.
Mr Hunt asked those joining in celebrations to remain vigilant while out and about, saying while the Omicron variant did not appear to be as severe as Delta, it was still dangerous.
"The message is clear," he said.
"Avoid the mosh pit, don't pack in large, close numbers — that's common sense.
"It's more transmissible, it's clearly less severe, but it still can be dangerous for individuals."
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTEyLTMwL3JhcGlkLWFudGlnZW4tdGVzdC1wcmljZS1nb3VnZXJzLW9uLW5vdGljZS1mZWRlcmFsLWdvdmVybm1lbnQvMTAwNzMxNTI20gEA?oc=5
2021-12-30 02:34:36Z
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