Liberal frontbencher Michaelia Cash has denied a health and hospital grant program from the former Morrison government was pork-barrelling despite a scathing auditor-general report into the scheme. The report into the administration of the Community Health and Hospitals Program found it was “ineffective and fell short of ethical requirements” and breached legal requirements. The Australian Government…

The Australian government has announced a new round of tobacco tax increases as it introduces strong measures to reduce the number of people smoking and vaping. During a speech at the National Press Club on May 2, Health Minister Mark Butler announced that from this September, the federal government would lift tobacco tax by five percent…

The head of Australia’s pharmacy peak body has called the federal Labor government’s latest decision to subsidise medicine “smoke and mirrors” amid the ongoing cost of living crisis. Health Minister Mark Butler revealed on April 26 that the government is making “hundreds of common medicines cheaper” by allowing Australians to double the amount of medicine…

Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has blamed the former Coalition governments for the current state of general practices across the country, saying they were in “worst shape” in 40 years. In an interview with ABC radio, the health minister said the Medicare system needed a “comprehensive revamp” to keep local clinics operating. He added that…

Thousands of Australians suffering from eye disease, asthma and the rare blood disorder AL amyloidosis will now have more affordable medicines after the federal government expanded the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to include vital medicines. Health Minister Mark Butler said in the announcement of the expansion the federal government has decided to welcome three new medicines…

Access to PCR testing will be tightened as part of the Australian Labor government’s moves to transition the country away from “COVID exceptionalism.” On Dec. 12, the federal government launched its $2.8 billion National COVID-19 Health Management Plan for 2023 developed based on advice from the country’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly. The plan outlines how…

Australia has pledged $50 million (US$33.4 million) to the new Pandemic Fund, a new global fund launched by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bali on Nov. 13. The Pandemic Fund, hosted by the World Bank, is the result of global lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, designed to improve preparedness capabilities for future pandemic threats…

Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has committed to investigating claims that billions of dollars are lost each year due to fraud in the Medicare system. This comes following a joint report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Nine newspapers, which alleged that some practitioners were swindling Medicare and charging for non-delivered services. The news…

Australia’s major airline Qantas is lifting the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all international flights. Qantas will no longer require passengers on international flights to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from 12.01 a.m. Australian (EST) on July 19, the airline said in an update on July 13. The move comes after the Australian government announced it…

Australia will remove COVID-19 vaccine mandates for international travellers and tourists on July 6. Following advice from Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, the Australian government has made changes to the Biosecurity Act, allowing overseas passengers to enter the country without declaring their vaccination status. Apart from flight passengers, the changes will also apply to travellers…