Greens leader Adam Bandt negative for Covid after Parliament House shuts

The leader of an Australian political party has revealed his Covid test result after an infected staff member sparked the public closure of Parliament House.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has tested negative for Covid-19 after one of his staff contracted the disease, sparking the closure of Parliament House to the public.

The building was on Sunday closed to the public until further notice after the staff member tested positive.

Health authorities are now working to identify possible close contacts and exposure locations at Parliament House and elsewhere in Canberra between November 30 and December 2.

ACT Health said the staffer returned a positive test on return from Canberra to their home state of Victoria.

Parliament House has shut its doors to the public after a political staff member tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

In a statement on Sunday, the Greens confirmed the party’s federal leader had been given the all clear.

“Adam Bandt has returned a negative COVID test,” the statement said.

“Aside from the staff member who has tested positive, the test results that have been returned for staff members who were in Canberra last week are also negative.”

The Greens said Mr Bandt and other colleagues of the infected staffer had tested negative for the virus. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Greens senator Nick McKim has also been tested and received a negative result but is continuing to isolate out of caution.

Politicians, staffers, and other people working in Parliament House during the last sitting week were required to wear masks in communal areas and use Covid check in apps.

Any exposure locations from the new case will be announced later on Sunday.

Originally published as Greens leader Adam Bandt negative for Covid after Parliament House shuts