Stunning moment federal parliament is told Barnaby Joyce is a ‘possible close contact’ of a positive Covid case from the Sydney outbreak – but the Deputy PM is NOT concerned
- Peter Dutton told parliament the Deputy PM is a potential close contact
- He said the Deputy PM was seeking medical advice before Question Time
- Barnaby Joyce returned to the chamber soon after the announcement
Barnaby Joyce was forced to sit out Question Time on Thursday after being identified as a possible close contact of a positive Covid-19 case.
Defence minister Peter Dutton, who is also the government’s Leader of the House, announced the news at the beginning of Question Time on Thursday.
The close contact is believed to be NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall.
Mr Dutton said Mr Joyce was seeking medical advice before attending Question Time.
Mr Joyce returned to the chamber soon after the beginning of the session and immediately took a question.
My Joyce is currently sitting in the Prime Minister’s chair in Parliament with Scott Morrison still in quarantine at Yarralumla and appearing via video link after his recent overseas trip.
‘Shortly before Question Time I was alerted to the fact I may have been in close contact with someone who was a positive case,’ Mr Joyce told Parliament a short time ago.
‘I immediately sought medical advice from Professor Michael Kidd.
‘As I was not a close contact, I’m now able to attend the chamber,’ he clarified.