The limited access to antigen test is a 'slap in the face' to workers, said ACTU
Australia announced on Wednesday that they’ll be offering free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to 6.6 million Aussies as Prime Minister Scott Morrison remains under pressure to make them accessible for all. In an announcement, Morrison said the Commonwealth as well as state and territory leaders have agreed to split the bill for antigen tests for the recipients, who will be given cash grants for 10 RATs in a three-month period.
The said beneficiaries include low-income workers, pensioners, and welfare recipients, who either carry a Commonwealth seniors health card, a healthcare card, a low-income card, a pension concession card, DVA Gold card or a DVA white card, Sky News reported. According to Morrison, the free rapid antigen tests can be availed at pharmacies but stressed that those exhibiting symptoms should go straight to a testing facility.
This comes as the prime minister draws more pressure to make antigen tests accessible for all, a proposal he said was "not considered" in their talks with state and territory leaders.
"Universal free access was not considered the right policy response by all of the states and territories in attendance today, and the Commonwealth," Morrison said.
"What was agreed, though, was providing, as I flagged two weeks ago, a model to provide concessional access for tests over a three-month period, and they will be made available through the pharmacy network."
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'A slap in the face'
Despite the decision of the government, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said the lack of free antigen tests for all was a "slap in the face" to Aussies.
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"Morrison’s failure to secure enough RATs and provide them freely is a slap in the face to small businesses and workers who have already sacrificed and lost so much and are trying to recover from the pandemic," said ACTU Acting Secretary Liam O'Brien.
"Even in America with their broken health system, there are half a billion free rapid tests. In the UK the government is mailing them to your home and to your workplace. It is an embarrassment that in Australia you cannot get them."
According to O'Brien, the administration is putting Australian lives at risk by rejecting calls by experts, doctors, unions, and smalls businesses to make antigen tests free and accessible.
He also said Morrison's rejection for free tests is an attempt to undermine health and safety laws in workplaces.
"Once again under the guise of the pandemic, Mr. Morrison is trying to water down the rights of workers and health and safety laws. Workplaces have a duty to minimise safety risks, including against Covid, and the Morrison Government mustn't undermine this."