The federal government has started reporting claims it diverted rapid antigen test (RAT) supplies away from companies to its national stockpile to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Multiple businesses and companies have said they have been told by suppliers that their orders of RATs would be delayed because they had been redirected at the request of the government.
But since the allegations have emerged, the Health Department and Health Minister Greg Hunt have vehemently denied this was the case, saying the government had never sought to put its orders ahead of anyone else's.
So far no suppliers have been able to provide proof the government intercepted their order, with one supplier retracting an earlier allegation their stock had been subject to a "government requisition order".
Mr Hunt said companies were lying to their customers about why their RAT shipments were delayed.
"They are lying. That is why I am reporting them to the ACCC," he said.
"There are some suppliers who, frankly, have over-promised.
"They have over-promised to federal, state and to community or private purchasers.
"Where those claims have been made, we are referring them to the ACCC."
But as well as some suppliers, Queensland's Deputy Premier Steven Miles said a second delivery of rapid antigen tests the state had secured for rail workers was intercepted by the federal government.
"This is despite denials from the federal government that this is occurring," he said.
"We have another email from a provider confirming that that was the case.
"These tests are critical. Queensland Rail is critical to our supply chain, our logistics and our ability to get people around the state."
Claims 'categorically untrue'
But, echoing Mr Hunt, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the claims were false.
"We're not redirecting supplies to Commonwealth orders and we have not put in place any arrangements to do that," he said.
In a statement, the Department of Health said the claims it had requisitioned the tests was "categorically untrue".
"Supplies of RAT kits are not being redirected to the Commonwealth and at no time has the Department sought to place itself ahead of other commercial and retail entities," it said.
"Where such claims have been made, the Department has written to the relevant retailer to reassure them that is not the case and [to] seek further detail or evidence of the claims made by suppliers.
"The Department is liaising closely with the ACCC and is highlighting the pattern of conduct and providing specific examples of such claims."
Shadow Health Minister Mark Butler called for transparency and "straight answers" from the government about RAT supplies.
"At the end of the day, Scott Morrison has failed to do his job on rapid tests.
As a result, we end up in a situation in Australia that resembles The Hunger Games — this sort of clash between state governments, between the private sector and the Commonwealth Government — and Australians end up paying the price for that."
RAT kits are in high demand nationally, with millions more tests expected to arrive in the coming weeks and months.
In response to the RAT shortage, the Pharmacy Guild is set to launch a website to help people find chemists near them with stock.
