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https://www.9news.com.au/national/rapid-...debad315a4

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"Obviously price is one of the big issues here – people are getting absolutely smashed, paying $30, $40 and $50 for a test that should be in the single digits of dollars – that's because the government won't empower the ACCC to do its work here," Mr Chalmers told Today.

"The GST is an issue that needs to be explored here – the government needs to explain why Rapid Antigen Tests are treated differently to some of the other essential aspects of our health system but the primary issues here are access and affordability – those are Scott Morrison's responsibility.

"He likes to talk about taking personal responsibility – it is time he took responsibility for this mess that he's made of Rapid Antigen Tests.

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"Too many people are either going undiagnosed or being ripped off, wandering through our shops and chemists when they are contagious and vulnerable, and this must end."

After last week's emergency National Cabinet meeting, the Morrison Government agreed to go 50/50 with the states and territories so those jurisdictions could provide them free at testing clinics to those deemed close contacts.

However, Mr Morrison clarified that anyone else who wants a test will have to buy their own, despite the major shortage across pharmacies and health centres.

But one of Australia's leading pharmacy chains has urged the Federal Government to drop the GST on rapid antigen tests after Mr Morrison said he would not make the tests free to everyone out of fear of undercutting businesses.

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https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...nage-covid

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Australia has 47,799 new cases today