Subject: ANTIGEN RAPID TESTING- GET AUSTRALIA BACK TO PRE COVID NORMAL
Dear Greg,
As a member of your constituency, concerned Australian and neighbour, I, amongst many other concerned and educated members of the community are seeking firm answers on why the Australian Government is not doing anywhere near enough to introduce world leading rapid antigen testing (RAT)?
Furthermore why is the Australian government not assisting with fastracking TGA approval for companies like Anteotech and others which have developed a RAT which is ranked in the TOP 5 in the world?
The Queensland government has recognised its achievements and has contributed financially to the cause.....$1.4m.
Victoria is now in its 6th lockdown and quite frankly its an embarrassment to the world that we are locking up our children, the elderly, the sick, the lonely and everyone else for a number of cases which could have easily been detected on a daily basis and within 15 minutes without having to cause such harm to the entire community.
Mr Andrews stated in a recent media conference and is on record, that Victoria would not be going in and out of lockdown....well that's another lie coming from the mouth of our leader of this great state.
You have the chance to step up and be a great leader and be remembered for introducing a watershed change to the way we test and monitor for COVID19.
We have incredible Australian ingenuity and our governments have inherently ignored these amazing achievements allowing overseas nations bear the fruits. It is happening right now.
Ask yourself this question....If an Australian company developed an EU approved solution to test people for COVID19 in an efficient, accuracte, timely, specific, and cost effective manner why wouldn't the Australian government take an interest, support the company and be a world leader in getting to precovid life?
Be a champion, make Australians remember you for making a difference....no more general political statements or replies....step up and be heard. You may never have this opportunity come your way again!
regards
Pasqual
GREG'S OFFICE RESPONSE
25th August 2021
Dear Pasqual,
Thank you for your email. Greg appreciates you contacting him regarding this matter and has asked I provide the below information for your reference.
In Australia, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard diagnostic test for COVID-19. This test method is very sensitive and detects nucleic acid sequences specific to the virus. PCR testing has been comprehensively validated and continues to be monitored by pathology laboratories both locally and internationally to ensure a high testing and performance standard is met.
Australia is fortunate to be supported by an expert and extensive network of public and private pathology laboratories with the capability, capacity and appropriate accreditation to detect SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and to complete these tests in as short a time as is possible, ensuring that results are accurate and reliable. This means testing turnaround times in Australia are generally within 24 hours, which is sufficient in the context of other existing public health measures.
Rapid antigen tests are intended for use at the point-of-care (PoC), or near person care, to detect the presence of viral protein from SARS-CoV-2. Any testing technology new to Australia requires very careful assessment by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) before legal supply in Australia is approved. Up-to-date information on which COVID-19 tests are included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) can be found at: www.tga.gov.au/covid-19-test-kits-included-artg-legal-supply-australia.
Once approved by the TGA, the use of a test is a decision for states and territories. Where applicable, test use must also comply with the additional conditions specified by the TGA for use at the point-of-care.
SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests can only be supplied to accredited pathology laboratories; Australian Government, state or territory departments of health; registered medical practitioners; or health-care professionals i.e. a medical practitioner or registered/enrolled nurse in residential and aged-care facilities.
(20min delay)