Treasurer Jim Chalmers tests positive for Covid

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed some unfortunate news ahead of a key meeting.

Jim Chalmers will be forced to attend the first regional Albanese cabinet meeting via video link due to Covid-19.

The Treasurer revealed on Tuesday afternoon the virus “had finally caught up with him”.

“So home iso and on the Zooms for a week,” he tweeted.

Dr Chalmers will miss out on the first regional cabinet meeting. Picture: John Gass

“Like a lot of other families in the same boat, we’ll do our best and make it work.”

Dr Chalmers said he was disappointed to be missing out after lobbying for the meeting to be held in Queensland.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his cabinet are due to meet in Gladstone on Wednesday.

It marks the new leader’s first visit to the Sunshine state since his election win.

Gladstone, an industrial city heavily reliant on the coal and gas industry for its economy, sits within the electorate of Flynn, which was retained by the Coalition.

Mr Albanese is taking the federal cabinet on the road. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

It’s expected the meeting will focus heavily on Australia’s energy crisis as the government seeks solutions for soaring gas and electricity prices.

Regional cabinet meetings were previously used by former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will convene a shadow cabinet to Perth on Wednesday, as he seeks to rebuild the Liberal brand in Western Australia.