20k+ RATs a day: Further details emerge of NT government's test tender

Details have been revealed of forecasts which led the government to tender for up to $130m worth of Rapid Antigen Tests in coming years. 

THE Northern Territory government forecasted it would hand out 20,000 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) a day when it issued a tender for the kits worth up to $130m.

But new figures released by the government show it only handed out around 7900 rapid antigen tests per day once Covid became widespread through the Territory.

In response to a question on notice in NT parliament, Health Minister Natasha Fyles said 1,923,928 rapid antigen tests had been handed out between July 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022.

The antigen tests have cost taxpayers $17.25m over that time frame.

The revelation follows the NT government issuing a three-year tender for up to $110m worth of tests, which the CLP estimated worked out to roughly 30,000 tests per day.

In the question on notice, Ms Fyles batted away criticism of the tender, saying the government would most likely buy fewer RATs than the tender allowed.

“There is no obligation for the Department of Health to purchase a single RAT,” Ms Fyles said.

“It is a pretender estimate so that we can order and pay for those tests if and when we need them.”

The tender estimated the NT would need up to 20,000 tests per day, and would spend $12.50 on each test.

“The cost of RATs has fallen significantly since this time,” Ms Fyles said. The questions were put to Ms Fyles by the CLP’s health spokesman Bill Yan. RATs were previously handed out by the government to air arrivals into the NT, as well as for those displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

MARCH 13: THOUSANDS of rapid antigen tests (RATs) purchased by the NT government are sitting in a large fridge waiting to be used.

The Sunday Territorian understands the NT government is forking out around $4000 a week to put the RATs in cold storage until such a time comes when they’re needed, with up to $16m worth of RATs in the Wyuna Cold Stores facility.

An NT government spokeswoman said the Northern Territory had 1.3 million RATs on hand.

“Individuals can collect rapid antigen tests for free from NT distribution centres and regional health clinics to take away and perform testing as per directions,” the spokeswoman said.

Rapid antigen tests sitting in a storage shed at Wyuna. Picture: Supplied

The government recently began looking for a three-year tender to supply up to $110m worth of tests.

The large arsenal of RATs comes as the government warns authorities are preparing for a “co-circulation of Covid-19 and the flu” in the southern winter months.

Despite the Covid jab being free, a spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner did not say whether the NT government was open to the prospect of free flu shots.

Mr Gunner attended national cabinet on Friday, where state leaders agreed to mandate the flu jab for certain workers in high risk settings.

Rapid antigen tests sitting in a storage shed at Wyuna. Picture: Supplied

The spokesman said further information on the Territory’s health response to the looming Covid-flu season would be unveiled in coming days.

“The NT chief health Health Officer will provide advice to a future SEMC regarding flu jabs for people working in high risk settings, and on managing the potential co-circulation in the Territory more broadly,” he said.

The flu vaccine is free for the elderly, people under 5, Aboriginal people, those with chronic conditions and pregnant women.

Rapid antigen tests sitting in a storage shed at Wyuna. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as 20k+ RATs a day: Further details emerge of NT government's test tender