Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain COVID positive, calls for free rapid antigen tests

It comes as the Bega Valley local announced she and her family had all tested positive to COVID-19 this week.

Ms McBain shared the news to her social media accounts on January 5, saying "this isn't how I thought the start of 2022 would be going for our family".

"Like so many people across NSW and across the country, we have tested positive to COVID, we all have varying symptoms and are definitely feeling the effects daily," Ms McBain said.

She also said rapid antigen testing (RAT) for COVID-19 ought to be made free and more accessible.

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Ms McBain said the use of RAT kits could also provide relief for the country's healthcare workers who have been inundated with people presenting for COVID-19 tests.

"We need these rapid test to be free and accessible across the country," she said.

"Our healthcare workers are doing an amazing job but they are overwhelmed with testing and many people are waiting in line for hours to keep their end of the deal which was to take personal responsibility and get tested."

Ms McBain isn't the only MP who has tested positive to COVID-19, with Kiama MP Gareth Ward also discovering he had contracted the virus the same day.

Having had to get a PCR test (nose and throat swab) after a positive result on his RAT, Mr Ward was met with closed doors at the testing clinic at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre.

On Thursday, January 6, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced concession card holders would be granted access to free RAT kits via their pharmacists.

While falling short of calls to make the testing kits free to everyone, the move will provide them to holders of healthcare, pension and DVA card holders.

They will be allowed to access a maximum of 10 tests in a three-month period.

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