I agree, but to only a degree. I sincerely get that use of Ag rapid tests needs to be ramped up in Australia, but I don't think it's as simple as using them instead of PCR. The thing with PCR is that Australia relies on them for contact tracing and isolating and for this context Ag tests wouldn't be as suitable. Currently we PCR all contacts and contacts of contacts which means we can with 99% certainty establish and isolate cases regardless of where they are in the infectious process. We have the luxury of a small population and caseload to be able to do this lab-based. For Ag to be used in this same way makes no sense, as they only show up as positive (and only 88% of the time) around day 4-5 when/after a person is infectious and may have already infected countless others. The Ag tests make more sense for use in border control (pre and post flight) and quarantine workers (start and end of shifts) and high exposure worksites. They both have a role. You may well be right that to a degree Pathology labs having a monopoly are making it harder for the benefit of Ag tests to be realized, but I think this issue has been sensationalised and magnified when it isn't acknowledging the importance PCR testing has in the Australian strategy response to COVID.
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