Queensland criticised for holding back rapid Covid-19 testing in remote Aboriginal communities

Test funded by federal government cuts wait times to 45 minutes, but Queensland Health has vetoed the rollout

Aboriginal health organisations say the Queensland government is holding back a $3.3m national rollout of rapid Covid-19 testing in remote Aboriginal communities, putting concerns for health worker safety ahead of conducting what they say is a gold standard" test endorsed by the World Health Organization and already being used in other states and territories.

In April, the federal government announced funding for a rapid-testing program in Aboriginal communities which cuts wait times to 45 minutes, calling it a game-changing improvement" for people in remote areas who are currently waiting several days to receive their results.