SA pushes for investigation into reported diverted RAT shipment

Reports of some rapid antigen tests bound for South Australia being diverted to other states have riled SA, pushing the state to ask industry watchdog Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate.

Premier Steven Marshall said both the NSW and Victorian governments have denied requisitioning tests at Sydney and Melbourne airports.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also ruled out the federal government being involved in any way, describing the allegations as “absurd”.

Marshall said, however, that reports that tests have gone missing are serious and he has written to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission boss Rod Sims asking him to investigate.

“If these allegations prove correct, it’s quite possible that they are illegal, anti-competitive and, of course, they’re a massive kick in the guts for South Australia,” the premier said.

“If they (the tests) have been taken bay another state, that’s outrageous,” he said.

Asked about the issue earlier, Prime Minister Morrison maintained that suggestions the Commonwealth had redirected supplies of rapid antigen tests, or impounded private supplies were not true.

“I have no idea where that’s coming from and you know, it just floats around on social media and then it gets reported,” he said.

“I mean, something happening on social media isn’t a story. It’s usually just rubbish.”

Also on Wednesday, Marshall said the state government had ordered an additional five million test kits to cater for growing demand.

He said that was on top of the 1.4 million kits SA Health already had in stock and the 200,000 currently arriving on a daily basis.

with news from AAP