Ministers' media centre

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.

The Australian Government is partnering with the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) to expand our support for high performance rugby league in Papua New Guinea.

The Australian Government is investing in a new study on COVID-19 vaccines and infection to ultimately improve the care and outcomes for children and people with chronic diseases, particularly as future variants emerge.

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.

Read the transcript of Minister Wells' speech at HammondCare's dementia conference on 9 September.

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.

Read the transcript of Minister Wells' TV interview with Matthew Doran, ABC News discussing the October Budget, cost of living, interest rates, childcare, and AFL broadcasting rights.

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.

The Australian Government is committed to making a difference for women of every age and at every stage. As part of this commitment, the Government is investing in digital tools to improve access to quality care for women experiencing menopause.

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.

The Australian Government has held their inaugural Women in Sport Workforce Roundtable, with more than 50 stakeholders developing pathways for increasing the number of women in the sport industry.

Australians living with allergies will have their conditions better diagnosed, managed and prevented under new funding by the Australian Government.

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.

Our next female sporting CEO’s can kick off their administration careers through $370,000 worth of grants, in the Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) initiative.

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.