Ministers' media centre

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.

The Albanese Government is proud to announce the official launch of the new Head to Health phone service which will help Australians access mental health support in their own communities.

Read the transcript of the ABC Drive interview with Minister Butler on Hospitals, COVID-19, Vaccine Rollout and Scott Morrison’s secret appointments.

The Albanese Government is delivering $13.1 million in targeted mental health support for NSW communities impacted by the devastating recent floods.

Read the transcript of the Triple J Hack interview with Minister Butler on bulk billing, urgent care clinics, youth mental health, and Scott Morrison’s secret appointments.

The Auditor-General's report has laid bare the multitude of failures of the former Government’s vaccine rollout.

The Albanese Government is providing much needed funds to our men’s sheds.

Read the transcript of the television interview with Minister Butler on Medicare and strengthening the Medicare fund, pressures on our health system and urgent care clinics.

Read the transcript of the ABC Radio interview with Minister Butler on Scott Morrison’s self-appointed ministerial roles, cost of GP visits, and Australian mRNA vaccine manufacturing.

Read the transcript of the Ten News First interview with Minister Butler on Scott Morrison’s secret appointments, bulk billing and domestic mRNA manufacturing.

Read the transcript of the ABC Adelaide interview with Minister Butler on the costs of visiting a GP and strengthening our GP workforce.

The Albanese Government has acted to delete the wasteful and ineffective COVIDSafe app.

Read the transcript of the ABC Radio National interview with Minister Butler on the COVID-19 response, isolation rules, the monkeypox response and vaccines, primary care and the Climate Change Bill 2022.

The Albanese Government has secured 450,000 doses of the new third-generation monkeypox virus (MPX) vaccine by Bavarian Nordic.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's doorstop on Monkeypox; COVID-19 hospitalisations; and vaccines for immunocompromised children.

Read the transcript of the TV interview with Minister Butler and Charles Croucher, The Today Show, on COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised children aged six months and above and COVID hospitalisations.

Read the transcript of Minister Butler's press conference on Moderna vaccines for children, public awareness campaign, COVID modelling, monkeypox vaccine, lung cancer screening, voluntary assisted dying bill.