Australia has seen its first community transmission of COVID-19. Bringing the total of confirmed cases to 33. This case underlines the fact that Australia is not immune from COVID-19. COVID-19 represents a significant risk to Australia – and we continue to manage that risk based on the best and latest medical advice. Our…
Australia now has a total of 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19, following three additional cases of people with direct links to Iran. The latest confirmed case is in Tasmania, a 40 year old man who has recently returned from Iran. This follows the first death of an Australian with COVID-19 infection early yesterday.…
The Morrison Government welcomes the appointment of Professor Michael Kidd AM as Principal Medical Advisor to the Department of Health and Professor of Primary Care Reform at The Australian National University. This appointment further strengthens the Government’s focus on delivering major primary health care reforms for the benefit of all Australians. This is…
It is with great sadness that the Australian Government notes the death of a 78-year-old man in Western Australia with COVID-19 infection. Our condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time. The man was one of the Australian citizens from the Diamond Princess whom the Australian Government assisted to depart…
GREG HUNT: Thank you everybody for joining us, I’m joined by Professor Brendan Murphy, the Chief Medical Officer of Australia this afternoon. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the National Security Council has met and made decisions to lift the travel advisories for Iran and to impose certain restrictions as a consequence of the spread of…
The start of autumn will bring with it a new sense of hope for over 2,000 Australians with advanced melanoma, with the Morrison Government expanding subsidised access to a breakthrough melanoma treatment option on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from today. On March 1, the current PBS listing of Opdivo® (nivolumab) will be expanded…
Australians continue to visit their GPs without having to pay a cent, with the latest Medicare data showing 86 out of 100 visits to the GP were bulk-billed for the 2019 calendar year. The 86.0 per cent bulk billing rate achieved in 2019, is a 4.3 percentage point increase on the 81.7 per cent Labor…
Australian women will soon have access to a new form of contraceptive with the Morrison Government a new listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). On March 1, Kyleena® (levonorgestrel), a long-acting reversible hormone-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) contraceptive, will be listed on the PBS for the first time, giving Australian women more choice. …
Australians with an intellectual disability will soon receive greater support, thanks to a Morrison Government $6.5 million investment in the Primary Care Enhancement Program. The funding (GST exclusive) will be provided over four financial years (2020-21 to 2023-24) under the Primary Health Networks (PHN) Program, for development of the Primary Care Enhancement Program (PCEP).…
The Morrison Government will provide up to $3.3 million for activities to implement the first National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases, which was launched today. The Action Plan will increase awareness and promote earlier, more accurate diagnosis and treatment for around two million Australians suffering from rare diseases. Rare diseases are having…