Labor criticised for turnaround on RAT tests after saying during Opposition they should be free

Labor’s state and federal leaders both said during their time in opposition that rapid antigen tests should be free – but neither will extend a RAT scheme that expires this month.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has bowed to pressure to hold an emergency national cabinet meeting on Monday as Covid-19 cases spike across the country.

Top of the agenda will be growing calls from MPs and union leaders to reinstate the pandemic leave disaster payment and also, to continue to make free RAT tests for concessions card holders.

Australians who test Covid positive but do not have access to sick leave were offered up to $750 in support, but that ended last month, despite warnings millions of people will be infected in the coming weeks.

Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus has warned that the nation would be gripped by health consequences.

“Without paid pandemic leave, hundreds of thousands of working Australians will face an impossible choice – to do the right thing for the community and stay at home,” she said.

The axing of free RAT tests for concessions card holders has also sparked a stir.

State and federal Labor have come under fire for a plan to scale back free rapid antigen tests, despite saying in opposition that they should be free. From July 31, concession cardholders will no longer be able to access free RATs unless they are close contacts, have symptoms or are required to be tested to enter an aged care facility.

In January, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said Australians were finding it almost impossible to get their hands on a rapid test.

“When they do so, they are paying as much as $100 for a test that their government should be providing them for free,” he said at the time.

Amid criticism from the health and social services sectors, the federal government is holding firm on its decision to stop offering a free “stockpile” of up to 20 tests to pensioners from the end of this month.

Concerns have been raised about the change coming as Covid cases are rapidly rising across the country.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Butler said the government did not have the financial capacity to keep funding emergency programs such as the free RAT program “forever”.

A spokesman for acting Liberal leader Sussan Ley said the Health Minister and the Aged Care Minister clearly aren’t on the same page when it comes to the pandemic response.

“So the question is who is lying? What advice has the Government taken on pandemic support?,’’ she said.