Scott Morrison attended national security committee meeting before testing positive

The PM attended a national security committee meeting hours before he tested positive for Covid-19, prompting urgent RAT tests for senior leaders.

The Prime Minister attended a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet just hours before he tested positive for Covid-19, prompting rapid antigen tests for some of the government’s most senior leaders.

They include the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg – who tested negative on a RAT result this morning – and Defence Minister Peter Dutton.

Shortly after noon, Scott Morrison’s assistant minister Ben Morton confirmed he had tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating in Canberra.

“I am not experiencing any significant symptoms, only a mild headache,” he said.

Mr Morrison tested positive after flying to Sydney on a VIP RAAF jet on Tuesday afternoon to attend an event at the Sydney Opera House. All flight crew have also been notified.

His wife Jenny and two daughters are also self-isolating as close contacts.

Mr Morrison developed a fever and symptoms earlier in the day. After a second RAT test that day was “inconclusive” he took a PCR test.

He had tested negative on Tuesday morning but took another test after he developed a fever and then cancelled his appearance at the Sydney Opera House that was scheduled for 8pm.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has previously contracted Covid-19. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

Earlier, he had a persistent cough during a nationally televised press conference held in Canberra with Mr Dutton.

In recent days, Mr Morrison has been photographed shaking hands and greeting voters at a Ukrainian church in Sydney on Sunday with his wife Jenny, visiting Brisbane to hold talks with leaders on the flood disaster and attending Emergency Management Australia on Monday afternoon for briefings and a photo op.

It’s not known how or when he contracted the virus.

The PM attended a national security committee meeting of the cabinet before the press conference on Tuesday.

The NSC membership includes Mr Frydenberg, who tested positive for Covid-19 over the summer break.

The group also includes Foreign Minister Marise Payne, who dialled in from Sydney and did not attend the meeting in person, and Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce who also dialled in remotely.

Scott Morrison at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sunday. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

“I am experiencing flu-like symptoms and will be recovering over the next week,” Mr Morrison said.

“I had tested myself daily since Sunday, including this morning, with all tests returning a negative result.

“I took a further test this evening after developing a fever late today. The test was inconclusive so I took a PCR test tonight which returned a positive result late this evening.

“I am continuing to follow health guidelines and am isolating at home in Sydney.

“Jenny and the girls have thankfully tested negative but will isolate for seven days at home as close contacts.”

In line with official advice, Mr Morrison’s office is alerting anyone who came into contact with him on the day he developed symptoms and in the 24 hours prior.

The PM told cabinet colleagues on Tuesday morning that a routine RAT had returned a negative result but he had a persistent cough during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Just after 7.30pm, the PM’s office told journalists he would not be attending a planned event in Sydney to light up the Opera House with Ukraine’s colours.

The PM with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane. Picture: Tertius Pickard/NCA NewsWire

The event was scheduled to occur at 8pm and the NSW government was advised he could not attend at “very” late notice.

Earlier, the PM’s office said he was “no longer available” to attend the event but did not specify illness as the reason for his decision to cancel the appearance.

Mr Morrison said that while in isolation, “I will continue to discharge all my responsibilities as Prime Minister, including virtually chairing meetings of the National Security and Expenditure Review Committees of Cabinet, focusing on our emergency response to the devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales, and ensuring we stand with each and every one of the affected communities both now and as the waters eventually recede.

“I will also be focused on our urgent response to the tragedy unfolding in the Ukraine and Russia’s senseless aggression, staying in regular contact with our security and intelligence officials and our international partners, as well as working with the Treasurer to finalise the Budget.”

High-profile government frontbenchers who have previously tested positive for the coronavirus include Mr Joyce, who was struck down during a visit to London.

Last week, Clive Palmer tested positive to Covid-19 and pneumonia prompting him to be rushed to hospital.

Mr Dutton also tested positive to Covid-19 early in the pandemic following a trip to the United States.

Mr Morrison was expected to deliver a major speech on the global economic and strategic implications of the crisis in Ukraine to the Lowy Institute on Thursday.

It’s not known if that event will proceed.