The ACT Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, is still confused about whether the ACT Health system she administers is charging people for COVID-19 tests required for interstate travel.

In an ABC Radio interview this morning, the minister could not definitively say whether people attending all public clinics in the ACT will be charged or not, and tried to blame the confusion on the Federal Government.

Overnight, the Federal Health Minister, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, made is abundantly clear the Federal Government has continued to fund these tests for domestic travellers and States and Territories should not be charging for them.

The Federal Minister’s statement was issued last night and reported on the ABC website but this morning the Minister was still unable to say whether there would be no charging for COVID-19 testing at any public clinics - large or small – in Canberra.

The Minister also failed to assure Canberrans who have been charged that they would receive refunds.

“The simple fact is the Minister has not been across her brief,” Shadow Health Minister, Mrs Giulia Jones said.

“Surely it’s not expecting too much for the Government to provide certainty on this charging issue.

“I will ask more questions about this in the Assembly in question time today,” Mrs Jones said today.

Giulia Jones MLA will be providing comment at 12.45 pm today at the ACT Legislative Assembly.