Former ministers' media centre

By mid-2021, volunteers aged between 18 and 75 years will be recruited for an accelerated clinical trial of two ‘next generation’ vaccines against COVID-19, developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne.

Read the transcript of a press conference with Minister Hunt about additions to PBS, COVID vaccines, pre-flight testing, hotel quarantine systems and update on new strains.

Critical new medicines have been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), including to fight one of the most common blood cancers.

Vital support services will ensure senior and vulnerable Australians can access the help they need and stay connected during the holiday season.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with Ross Stevenson on 3AW about COVID vaccine distribution announcement; March rollout; University of Queensland COVID vaccine; Priority groups.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with David Campbell on the Today Show about COVID vaccine distribution announcement; Distribution to remote communities; Emergency rollout before March; Positive healthcare worker who transported aged care resident.

The health and safety of older Australians should be a priority this holiday season with families urged to keep in contact with those most in need - but to take appropriate precautions.

Contracts have been signed with companies to partner with the Australian Government to safely distribute COVID-19 vaccines to all Australians from March next year.

The Australian Government is providing more than $100 million for regional, rural and remote pharmacies to better support their communities through an expansion to a critical regional pharmacy program.

The Australian Government is responding to the independent regulatory decision of the TGA today with a range of measures to support the cessation of smoking, and to help prevent teenagers taking up pathways to smoking.

The Australian Government has released the findings of the independent review into COVID-19 outbreaks at two Victorian aged care facilities: Heritage Care’s Epping Gardens and St Basil’s Home for the Aged.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with Northern beaches cluster, Commonwealth assistance, Bringing vaccine rollout forward, Crosby Textor survey, Border closures, Sydney quarantine, checkpoints and National cabinet.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with Belinda Russell and David Campbell on the Today Show about Northern beaches COVID-19 cluster, Testing and contact tracing, Mental health support and TGA vaccine assessments.

The Australian Government’s ongoing reforms to private health insurance have resulted in the lowest annual average premium change for consumers since 2001 – 2.74 per cent.

A significant lung cancer treatment option that costs approximately $88,000 a year will soon be available for as little as $6.60 per script, thanks to its expanded listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Read the transcript of a press conference with Minister Hunt about NSW COVID-19 Outbreak, Commonwealth assistance, Aged care support, Borders and the Quarantine of flight crews.

Senior Australians in regional, rural and remote areas will benefit from the single largest investment in residential aged care infrastructure in Australia’s history.

The Australian Government is continuing its support for world leading medical research by contributing an additional $172.5 million to supplement the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) in 2021-22.

An important education campaign will be rolled out to inform Australians ahead of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

The Australian Government is providing $13.7 million to boost the integrity of sport in Australia through additional funding for both the National Sports Tribunal and Sport Integrity Australia’s efforts to tackle escalating, rapidly evolving integrity risks, including child safeguarding.

The Australian Government will invest an additional $1 billion in funding to help older Australians live at home for longer.

A new $2 million incentive fund to attract doctors to Launceston and across northern Tasmanian communities is being created to help address longstanding GP shortages in northern and north-western Tasmania.

The Australian Government has extended the capital sensitivity exemption for medical imaging equipment in rural and regional Australia until 1 May 2022.

The Australian Government is investing $300 million in ground-breaking health and medical research projects across Australia aimed at delivering better treatments, diagnosis and care.

Young people will have more say on the issues that matter to them under a significant funding package today unveiled by the Australian Government.