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A staffer for Greens leader Adam Bandt has tested positive to COVID-19 after a sitting week in Canberra, sending Greens MPs into isolation while they wait for test results.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, and many other senior cabinet and shadow cabinet ministers were at Parliament House this past week. Mr Bandt announced he is isolating while he waits for a test result, while Tasmanian Greens senator Nick McKim has also said he is isolating after testing negative.
A staffer for Greens leader Adam Bandt has tested positive for COVID-19 after a Parliamentary sitting week in Canberra. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“A fully vaccinated member on Adam Bandt’s team, who was in Canberra during the last sitting week, has tested positive to COVID,” a statement from Mr Bandt’s office said on Saturday night.
“They are currently working with ACT Health to determine whether they were infectious while in Canberra.”
Mr Bandt, who is fully vaccinated and not symptomatic, has been tested and is waiting for his result. Other members of his team have returned negative tests.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said there were no implications for Mr Morrison from the Green staffer’s positive test.
Parliament House has strict COVID protocols during sitting weeks. Non-essential visitors are banned from the building, masks must be worn in corridors and common areas, and everyone is temperature tested on arrival each morning.
Mr Bandt’s office announced at 11.45am on Saturday morning that he would do a press conference at 3.30pm that afternoon. But at 2.50pm it was cancelled at short notice due to “unforeseen circumstances”. The statement about the positive COVID test was emailed out at 8.59pm.
Senator McKim was told he was a close contact with Mr Bandt’s staffer after he arrived back in Tasmania, which does not have any COVID outbreaks.
“As soon as I was notified I informed Tasmanian authorities. Since arriving back in Tasmania I have been in isolation and I am of course complying with all health directions,” Senator McKim said.
“I had no staff from Tasmania with me in Canberra. I am fully vaccinated and tested negative to COVID this morning.”
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