Morrison government warned about lack of rapid antigen tests in September, AMA claims

The Australian Medical Association warned senior executives in the federal health department of the need to develop a national strategy for procuring rapid antigen tests (RATs) in September last year.

Sims told reporters the ACCC had begun investigating reports of price gouging following a request from the federal treasurer, Josh Frydenberg.

Sims said the ACCC would also be examining claims the current pricing levels of rapid antigen tests were due to challenges in obtaining supply of the tests.

The Morrison government is under growing pressure to provide free rapid antigen tests across the community as case numbers in Australia reach record highs while testing clinics remain overwhelmed.

On Tuesday, New South Wales and Victoria registered record daily case numbers. NSW had 23,131 new cases, while Victoria recorded 14,020.

Queensland registered a record 5,699 cases, while Tasmania had 702 and the ACT had 926.

On Monday, there were 2,552 cases in South Australia, 58 in the Northern Territory and two in Western Australia.

The prime minister, Scott Morrison, has said the government will not make the rapid tests free for everyone, but is in the process of finalising concessional access with state and territory leaders. National cabinet is expected to sign off on the details in a meeting on Wednesday.

Regardless of the cost, supplies remain constrained in the private market across the country, with frustration growing that the tests cannot be found on chemist and supermarket shelves.

She said she had also appealed to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to fast-track any outstanding approvals for test kits, including those made in Australia.

The Queensland chief health officer, John Gerrard, said the Omicron virus had changed the pandemic landscape, with each infected person now infecting between seven and 10 people.

The federal Labor leader, Anthony Albanese, who is saying the tests should be readily available, said Morrison was ultimately responsible for the lack of supply.

But the opposition leader fell short of saying the tests should be made free.

The Nationals senator Matt Canavan said the TGA was to blame for the hold-up, and said making the tests free would exacerbate demand.