Dr Kerry Chant did NOT endorse Dom Perrottet’s road map out of lockdown

Dr Kerry Chant did not support Dominic Perrottet’s new roadmap out of lockdown and warned his plan came with risks, before the chief health officer was not invited to a major Covid press conference.

The new NSW Premier on Thursday revealed further restrictions would be eased on Monday when Sydney is due to be freed from a gruelling four-month lockdown. 

Mr Perrottet was surrounded by several colleagues, including Health Minister Brad Hazzard, but the familiar face of the chief health officer was nowhere to be seen.

One reporter went as far to describe Dr Chant’s omission as ‘disrespectful’ and others questioned if she even endorsed the accelerated roadmap. 

Mr Perrottet said he met with Dr Chant and other officials on Wednesday to discuss the changes and said she was one of his ‘favourite constituents’.

But Nine News has since reported Dr Chant warned the premier the new changes would come with risks but that it was ultimately a decision for the government to make. 

The revisions to the roadmap will allow Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 12 to return to school on Monday October 18, with all students back in the classroom by October 25.  

Limits on household gatherings and weddings and funerals for the fully vaccinated will also be double what was promised by Mr Perrottet’s predecessor Gladys Berejiklian.

Up to 10 residents excluding children will be allowed to gather inside homes across the state, and as many as 100 permitted to attend weddings and funerals.

Indoor swimming pools will also be able to open for swimming lessons, training and rehabilitation activities. 

Mr Perrottet was quickly inundated with questions regarding the state’s Chief Health Officer’s (pictured) exclusion from the monumental press conference on Thursday 

Things got heated on Thursday when reporters fired off several questions asking why Dr Chant was not present at the major conference. 

‘What does it say about your respect for Dr Kerry Chant when she’s lead us through this for the last two years and you wouldn’t invite her here today at your first major [press conference],’ one reporter asked. 

‘It is a bit disrespectful isn’t it?’

Mr Perrottet replied tersely: ‘Dr Chant is one of my favourite constituents in Epping. We have always had a great relationship.’

The reporter said it was reasonable during a health crisis to expect the chief health officer to attend major Covid press conferences. 

‘Well, it’s also an economic crisis as well,’ a rattled Mr Perrottet replied. ‘As the new premier, we’re the elected officials. 

The latest NSW Premier on Thursday revealed further restrictions would be eased on Monday when the city is due to be freed from a gruelling four-month lockdown

Sydneysiders can finally return to the pub and go out for dinner as of Monday after surpassing the 70 per cent vaccination target

‘The style might be different and changes will get made, but in my view we had a very constructive discussion last night and as the health minister has said, these changes are supported by the health team.’ 

Other reporters seemed unconvinced and asked again if the changes to the roadmap had been approved by Dr Chant and the health team.

‘I sat down with the health minister and Dr Chant yesterday,’ the premier repeated.

‘We went through some of these potential changes. We went through the opportunities to make some sensible amendments, some stable and steady amendments, to the roadmap.’

Mr Perrottet reassured reporters the chief health officer and her team would continue to be members of his rebranded subcommittee in the future.

‘I think the health minister has made it very clear the changes today are supported and endorsed by the health team in the entire NSW Government,’ he said.