Federal Treasurer urges states to ‘dig into their pockets’ and provide rapid antigen tests

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has urged state governments to “dig into their pockets” and provide rapid antigen tests (RATs).

Rapid tests are free in many other countries including the UK and Singapore, and amid calls to shift from PCR testing to RATs in some circumstances, there are growing calls for Australia to also offer free rapid tests.

Mr Frydenberg told Shane McInnes, filling in for Neil Mitchell, the federal government is “looking at our options”.

“We’d encourage the states to dig into their pockets,” he said.

“Obviously the federal government is picking up the bulk of the tab for the testing arrangements as we speak.

“We pick up 100 per cent of the tab for the Medicare funded tests and we pick up 50/50 with the states for those tests through the state clinics, and the Commonwealth picks of the tab for the procurement of the vaccine.

“We’d encourage the states to dig into their pockets and we’re looking at our options as well.

“In the aged care facilities we’re providing rapid antigen tests already.

“We want the states obviously to also do their fair share and start ordering some more of these rapid antigen tests.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Treasurer on the economy, rapid tests, and the possibility of Victorian contact tracing data being shared