PM makes big call on rapid Covid tests

Mr Morrison said Australia was now at a stage of the pandemic where not everything could be made free.

“We already make them free to everyone who is required to have one,” Mr Morrison told Sunrise on Monday.

“They are also tax-deductible.

“We are now at this stage of the pandemic we just cannot make everything free because when someone tells you they will make something free, someone will always pay for it, and it is going to be you.”

Rapid antigen tests are only free if you’re a close contact or symptomatic or in aged care or state government health settings.

Mr Morrison, however, said plans are underway to finalise concessional arrangements for pensioners.

“We understand the need for that and we will be doing that 50-50 with the states and territories,” he said.

There are also moves to get more health care workers, including aged care, back to work.

“We have undertaken some decisions to get more aged care workers back and off being isolated and furloughed,” Mr Morrison said.

The federal government has come under fire over rapid tests, with some states taking the lead in providing free kits to some people.

Leading epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws has warned only the privileged and wealthy will be protected from Covid unless free tests are made available to more people.

Unions have urged the Prime Minister to follow the lead of other countries in providing free tests.

There are also widespread reports of price gouging with some retailers selling five packs for up to $170.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said rapid antigen tests were being made available to those in aged care and vulnerable settings.

Work to provide concessional access is being undertaken by national cabinet, which will meet on Wednesday.

“The states have ordered 84 million rapid antigen tests which are on their way. The Commonwealth has ordered further rapid antigen tests,” Mr Frydenberg told the ABC.

“They will be an important defence against the virus, but we have also provided 55 million PCR tests at a cost to the Commonwealth of $2.5 billion to date.

“But we are now moving from the PCR tests to the rapid antigen tests and we are working with the states to meet those costs.”

However Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said people who can’t afford rapid antigen tests should be given them “otherwise the consequences are more dire”.

“The consequences of people not being able to be tested means that they will be out there in the community, spreading the pandemic,” he told Today.

“We need to do all that we can. We need to get the health outcomes right in order to minimise the economic impact. I don’t know how it is that those lessons haven’t been learnt. But this government, it’s always too little and too late.”

Originally published as Prime Minister Scott Morrison rules out making rapid antigen tests free