Dr Richard Di Natale has today called on the Australian government to urgently release its COVID-19 modelling in the face of confusing and fragmented advice from state premiers, first ministers and the commonwealth.

"COVID-19 is presenting an unprecedented public health threat, and Australians are understandably extremely concerned," Dr Di Natale, Greens health spokesperson said today.

Greens leader Adam Bandt MP and health spokesperson Dr Richard Di Natale have called on the Morrison government and national cabinet to explain what actions are being taken to double the number of intensive care units and to secure adequate number of ventilators.

Medical experts have warned that the number of intensive care beds need to at least double if we are to have a chance of managing the corona crisis. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer has flagged that Australia is facing up to 150,000 possible deaths in the worst case scenario.

Today’s reports of insufficient access to protective masks for front line GPs in the face of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency is of significant concern, Greens spokesperson for Health Dr Richard Di Natale has said today.

It is essential that our health workers, in particular, those directly responding to possible Coronavirus cases within the community, have access to an ongoing, sufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks.

Greens spokesperson for Health and public health specialist Dr Richard Di Natale will quiz senior government officials on the Australian and international response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response at Senate estimates this morning.



Dr Di Natale, who is a GP and Public Health specialist, has worked in infectious disease control and outbreak investigations.

The Greens health reform package will reduce out of pocket costs and build a truly universal healthcare system – including Medicare funded dental care – that provides healthcare for everyone, regardless of bank balance, postcode or illness.

“Medicare was a visionary reform and point of pride for many Australian but years of neglect, populist politics and piecemeal reforms have resulted in driving up costs for patients and prevented investment in areas that matter,” said Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale.

Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale has called for governments across Australia to urgently adopt pill testing, following another tragic death at a Sydney dance party on the weekend.

“My heart goes out to Callum Brosnan’s family and friends, following his tragic death in Sydney as a result of an avoidable drug overdose. Dance parties are a rite of passage for so many young people – and it’s shocking that this one night has ended in tragedy,” Di Natale said.

The Greens will pursue a Private Senators Bill when Parliament returns next month to ensure that any access to my health record data by law enforcement would require a warrant, Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.

“If you want to access someone’s medical records, you should have to have a warrant, simple as that," Di Natale said.

"There is no justification for the lesser standard, and Minister Hunt has been all over the place on what data can be released, and to whom.

In response to the latest Four Corners episode detailing how patients in the private health system can face massive out-of-pocket costs, Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale today called on Health Minister Greg Hunt to help tackle high out-of-pocket health costs through ensuring transparency of practitioner fees, as recommended in a 2017 Senate Inquiry chaired by the Greens.

Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale today welcomed reports that the Northern Territory Government is considering removing criminal penalties for personal cannabis use and called for a national approach for drug law reform, including legalising cannabis for adult use and removing criminal penalties for all personal drug use.