Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips has slammed Prime Minister Scott Morrison's decision to make rapid antigen tests (RATs) free for concession card holders only, labelling the move "un-Australian".
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Mr Morrison granted concessional access to RATs through pharmacies, with a maximum of 10 tests given over three months, announced on Wednesday. This includes for healthcare, pension and DVA card holders.
The subsidised tests will be available in the next fortnight.
As residents confirmed they have waited up to six days for PCR test results, Mrs Phillips criticised Mr Morrison's move and said everyone must have access to free self-tests.
"No one should be excluded from getting a rapid antigen test because they don't carry a concession card," she said.
"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."
Mrs Phillips added the federal government has "failed" as they had ample time to secure RATs and said it reflected Mr Morrison's handling of the bushfires and vaccine rollout.
"We're in a pandemic and this government has had since September, when the TGA approved rapid tests, to put in place a system...They have failed," she 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 rollout last year.
"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."
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