Ministers' media centre

From 1 July 2022, Australians will have access to three new drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference on the Government’s actions in relation to COVID-19 and vaccines.

The Australian Government is undertaking an independent review of Australia’s vaccine and treatment procurements, led by former Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Health, Professor Jane Halton AO.

Read the opinion piece from Minister Butler on COVID-19

Today, 28 June, is International Neonatal Screening Day, a day that celebrates the birthday of Dr Robert Guthrie, the American microbiologist who introduced the first dried bloodspot testing for rare disease.

Read the transcript of the Radio interview with Minister Butler and Waleed Aly, ABC Melbourne on antivirals for COVID

The Australian Government today launched an $11 million six-week campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and influenza this winter and underlined the availability of antivirals for those most vulnerable to severe effects of COVID-19.

The Australian Government will contribute funding towards a new Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for pandemics which will be established at the World Bank, as part of our commitment to protecting against the impact of future pandemics.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference at Parliament House - 22 June 2022 on the Government’s actions in relation to COVID; Financial Intermediary Fund; information campaign for booster doses; COVID treatments; hospital funding and other topics

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's interview with David Koch on Sunrise - discussing the First wave of Omicron; Australia’s booster rate.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's interview with Patricia Karvelas, Radio National Breakfast on G20 Health Ministers meeting and other topics.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's interview with Kieran Gilbert, Afternoon Agenda on G20 Health Ministers meeting, COVID boosters for aged care residents and COVID vaccine for children under 5

G20 Health Ministers will meet on 20 June to discuss ways to strengthen global health systems.

Read the transcript of Minister Well's interview with Greg Jennett, ABC News - Afternoon Briefing, discussing the Australian Government's priorities in health and aged care, and various other topics

The Australian Government will provide $4 million to ensure the continuing battle against motor neurone disease (MND) is well armed.

People aged 12 to 15 who are at most at risk of severe disease are recommended to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination from 14 June 2022.

With the NRL State of Origin set to kick off in Sydney, Australians are being encouraged to take a half-time toilet break during the 2022 series and do a test to help save lives from bowel cancer.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's interview with Leila McKinnon and Charles Croucher, Today on Nine, discussing the Australian Government's priorities in health and aged care, COVID-19, and access to GPs.

The Australian Government will provide $3.19 million in grants for First Nations-led trial projects in Darebin, Melbourne that will strengthen families, reduce family and domestic violence, and help keep kids out of out-of-home care.