Former ministers' media centre

From 1 December 2021, Australians with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) will have access to a new treatment option on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt and Professor Paul Kelly at the Press Conference in Canberra, on 27 November 2021, on the new COVID-19 variant and vaccine booster program.

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 Hunt's Press Conference in Canberra on 27 November 2021 on the Omicron variant, travel restrictions and COVID-19 vaccination.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's Press Conference in Sydney on 26 November 2021 on Update on COVID booster shots, new South African COVID variant and increased funding for Mental Health during COVID.

The Australian Government welcomes the release of the Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act (1997) – a vital overview of Australia’s age care system.

The Australian Government is reducing the claim threshold of the no fault COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme to enable more people access to compensation for costs associated with a vaccine injury.

Seventeen prominent Australians will provide expert advice on aged care issues and the implementation of the Australian Government’s $17.7 billion reform agenda in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with Neil Breen from 4BC Breakfast, on 24 November 2021, on Asymptomatic testing in Australia.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with David Koch and Natalie Barr from Sunrise, on 24 November 2021, on travellers entering Queensland without having to pay for a PCR COVID test.

The Australian Government is extending the COVID-19 measures it has introduced to protect remote communities in the Northern Territory facing current outbreaks.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with Ray Hadley from 2GB, on 22 November 2021, on Queensland border restrictions.

Read the transcript of Minister Hunt's interview with Katie Woolf from MIX 104.9 Darwin, on 22 November 2021, on Outbreak in the Northern Territory.

From 1 December 2021, Australians with a rare and potentially deadly condition, hereditary angioedema, will be able to obtain potentially life changing medication through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The Australian Government is strengthening the safety and quality of Australia’s cancer treatment programs by securing $2.5 million for the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to acquire a new medical linear accelerator (LINAC) for its Melbourne-based laboratory.

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.

The Australian Government is developing a new 10-year strategic plan to help Australia’s highly skilled and respected nurse practitioners, enhancing the way they work as they deliver essential health care for Australians.

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.

The Australian Government is extending the measures it has introduced to protect remote communities in the Northern Territory.

As we begin World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, the Australian Government continues to push forward the essential work required to protect Australians from antimicrobial resistant disease.

More than $57 million from the Federal Government to the University of Sydney (USyd) is giving trainee doctors and health professionals the opportunity to live, work and study in Dubbo and the central west region of NSW and in turn increasing access to healthcare for local patients.

Cancer patients across Western New South Wales now have access to life-saving treatment and diagnostic services closer to home, following the opening of the $35 million Western Cancer Centre.

Marking one year since the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global commitment to eliminate cervical cancer, the Australian Government is investing $5.8 million to back our pledge to be the first nation in the world to achieve this goal.

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