Former ministers' media centre

Read the transcript of Minister Kearney's interview with Greg Jennett on RBA Governor, interest rates, Housing Australia Future Fund, COVID and aged care and vaccines.

Read the transcript of Minister Well's radio interview with Patricia Karvelas, ABC Radio National discussing COVID in Aged Care; mask mandates; health budget.

Following medical advice, the Biosecurity Emergency Determination relating to COVID-19 for Australia will not be renewed when it lapses on April 17.

Australians considered most at risk of severe illness will be able to receive a fourth COVID-19 vaccine heading into winter following advice accepted by the Australian Government from leading immunisation experts.

Almost two years since telehealth was introduced by the Australian Government as a temporary initiative in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 100 million services have now been delivered across the nation.

Joint media release with the Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, and the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan, on the return of international cruise ships to Australia.

The Morrison Government is providing more than $35.9 million to ensure communities affected by the East Coast floods can continue to access vital health services and additional mental health support.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt at the Canberra Press Conference, on 211 March 2022, on Kimberley Kitching, Japanese encephalitis, extensions to vaccination/booster plan, winter preparedness plan for COVID and flu.

The Australian Government will invest $69 million to control the spread of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).

Read the transcript of Minister Gillespie's interview with Chris Kenny, of Sky News, on 3 March 2022, on the flood crisis.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's speech at the Australian Institute of Policy and Science's Post Budget Breakfast - Canberra

The human biosecurity period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 has been extended for a further two months.

Australia’s first protein vaccine, Novavax will join the national rollout from Monday through select general practices, community pharmacies and state clinics across the country.

The Australian Government has implemented further measures to protect remote communities during the current COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern Territory (NT).

Over four million additional Australians are now eligible for their COVID-19 booster dose from today, with the Australian Government shortening the interval for when a person becomes eligible for their booster from four months to three months.

Two years ago COVID arrived in Australia. In that time it has changed the world but it hasn’t changed the fundamentals of Australia. In a world with over 5.5 million lives lost officially and more likely closer to 15 million, Australia has witnessed hardship and tragedy.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt at Canberra Press Conference, 16 January 2022, on Omicron Primary Care and Medical Support Package, COVID-19 update, Tonga eruption.

Australians who have completed their primary course of COVID-19 vaccination no less than four months ago, will now be able to receive a booster dose from 4 January 2022, providing further protection and peace of mind.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt at the Melbourne Press Conference on 8 December 2021, on COVID-19 Boosters and 2022 Federal Election.

Australians aged 18 and over will now have the choice to receive a Moderna COVID-19 booster shot following approval from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

The human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015 will be extended for a further two months.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's Press Conference in Canberra on 27 November 2021 on additional border security measures to protect Australians from the new ‘Omicron’ COVID-19 variant

On the basis of medical advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, Professor Paul Kelly, the Australian Government will implement additional border security measures as a precaution to protect Australians from the new Omicron variant of concern.

Read the transcript of Minister Gillespie's interview with Steve Price from Triple M Australia on 19 November 2021 on the outbreak in the Northern Territory.

I am delighted to announce the reappointment of the 14-member COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments for Australia – the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group (SITAG) for an additional 7-month term.