Rankin MP Jim Chalmers has blasted the Federal Government, as locals scramble to find rapid antigen tests or pay a heavy price at the till.
The Federal Government is facing mounting pressure to make rapid antigen tests free, as supply dwindles across Logan and the wider area.
Mr Chalmers says the Federal Government has made a mess of rapid testing.
“I think it’s getting to a pretty mad stage now.
“People are either going without or they’re getting absolutely ripped off, and the only alternative is to stand in lines for half a day, or for the best part of a day.
“We can’t have a situation where people at their most vulnerable and their most contagious are wandering around shopping centres looking for tests that don’t exist, and if they do they’re getting ripped off.
“If they don’t they’re being left undiagnosed, which is leaving their co-workers and their loved ones more vulnerable.”
Mr Chalmers, who is the Shadow Treasurer, also took aim at the price of rapid testing kits.
“Obviously, price is one of the big issues here.
“There’s story after story of people paying $30 and $40 and $50 for tests that should be in the single digits.
“People are getting absolutely smashed.”
It comes as the State Government announced on Monday, it had secured 18 million State Rapid Antigen Tests to be provided free from public testing sites to people classified as close contacts.
The supply includes 12 million at home tests, and almost 6 million point of care tests.
The additional 12 million RAT test kits were in addition to Queensland Health’s stockpile of almost 6 million point of care RATs for use within the hospital system.
At-home Rapid Antigen Tests will be provided from public test sites, free to close contacts and Covid-19 positive people who require testing under a Public Health Direction.
The RAT tests will arrive in smaller numbers over the coming week or so, with a large volume expected in late January.
Queenslanders with COVID-19 symptoms should attend a Queensland Health or private testing centre to undertake a PCR test.
