Ministers' media centre

On World Heart Day, the Australian Government will invest $33.6 million in medical research grants for 41 projects to help reduce the number of Australians affected by heart disease and stroke.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's doorstop on Medical Research Future Fund; The Alfred Hospital, ECMO Precise project; Monash University; hospital funding caps; World Heart Day 2022.

Read the transcript of the radio interview with Minister Butler and Patricia Karvelas on the Optus data breach and Medicare; Halton review; Omicron vaccines, National Cabinet; hospital funding; The Albanese Government's cheaper medicines legislation.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's doorstop on Optus data breach; consumer's Medicare details; government responses.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference with Professor Jane Halton on the Halton review into vaccine and treatment procurement, Novavax, vaccine wastage, hospital funding.

Professor Jane Halton AO has handed to Government her independent review of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine and treatment procurements, making eight recommendations.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference on PBS medicines, new PBS listings, MPX (Monkeypox), GP workforce, aged care, COVID-19 response, vaccine rollout, access to abortion.

From 1 October 2022, Australians will pay less at the pharmacy for new and updated medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) because of the Government’s Price Disclosure Policy.

Read the transcript of the press conference with Minister Butler about the announcement of additional funding for COVID response, PCR testing, GP support, elective surgery and long COVID.

The Australian Government is encouraging more Australians to take up a career in mental health, with applications for the next round of the Mental Health Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship Program now open.

The Australian Government is bolstering Australia’s COVID-19 response by investing $1.4 billion to extend COVID-19 response measures.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference on medical research, NHMRC, eliminating hepatitis C, hospitals, hospital funding, aged care, RBA.

The elimination of hepatitis C in Australia is closer following a $1.4 million boost to research. This is part of a $14 million investment in 12 research projects announced today to deliver better health care for Australians.  

The Australian Government has accepted a recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the use of the Moderna Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 vaccine as a third and fourth dose in people aged 18 years and older.

The requirement to wear a mask on international flights to Australia will be removed, effective 12.01am on Friday 9 September 2022. Joint media release with Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Read the transcript of the Sky News Afternoon Agenda interview with Minister Butler about the announcement of cheaper medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

For the first time in its 75-year history, the maximum cost of general scripts under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will fall. Joint media release with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Tasmanians who have survived a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis can now access more support through the newly launched ‘Way Back Support Service’. Joint media release with the Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff.

The Australian Government is improving access to healthcare across the country, with all states and the Northern Territory signing a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth to continue Medicare bulk billing services at approved hospitals and health services in rural and remote areas.

Over recent weeks we have seen a litany of appalling stories of poor practices in the cosmetic surgery industry with permanent damage done to untold numbers of Australians.

From 1 September 2022, Australians will have access to new and expanded medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), including treatments for ovarian cancer, leukaemia, chronic kidney disease and spinal muscular atrophy in children.

The Albanese Government is committing $1.8 million to fund a new health care trial in the Warren-Blackwood region of Western Australia (WA) under the Innovative Models of Care (IMOC) grants program.

The Australian Government will boost support for medical researchers to drive innovation and contribute to global efforts to understand COVID-19, including work to assess the impact of long COVID.

The first broad analysis of Australia’s pandemic preparedness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been released by the CSIRO. Joint media release with Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic MP.

Representatives from across Australia’s health workforce including unions, employers and other stakeholders met today to discuss how best to grow and support this vital sector – already Australia’s largest source of employment.