Coronavirus: Three MPs self-isolate after contact with Andrew Bragg

At least three federal senators came into contact with coronavirus-positive NSW Liberal senator Andrew Bragg.  

Senator Andrew Bragg contracted coronavirus after attending a wedding on March 6. Picture: AAP

At least three federal senators have been forced into self-­isolation after coming into contact with coronavirus-positive NSW Liberal senator Andrew Bragg.  

One of the upper house MPs, Jenny McAllister, also attended a meeting of Anthony Albanese’s opposition frontbench just two days after crossing paths with ­Senator Bragg. 

The NSW Liberal has retraced his steps after contracting coronavirus from a wedding on March 6 in Stanwell Tops south of Sydney, where at least six wedding guests were infected with COVID-19.

“I chaired a parliamentary inquiry last Monday into a superannuation bill so I did come into contact with a few members of parliament,” Senator Bragg told Sky News. “And there are some other private businesses I visited on Tuesday.

“All those people have been ­notified now. Very unpleasant phone calls to make.”

Senator McAllister, Labor senator Tony Sheldon and Centre ­Alliance’s Rex Patrick are all in quarantine and awaiting medical advice following Senator Bragg’s diagnosis.

The four senators attended an inquiry into superannuation last Monday chaired by Senator Bragg.

I was a guest at a friend’s wedding in Stanwell Tops on 6 March. After satisfying the guidelines of direct exposure and flu symptoms, I have tested positive to Coronavirus.

— Senator Andrew Bragg (@ajamesbragg) March 17, 2020

On Wednesday, Senator McAllister then headed to the Blue Mountains with the rest of the Opposition Leader’s frontbench in her role as opposition cabinet secretary.

All three senators were only informed of Senator Bragg’s diagnosis this week.

The NSW Labor senator and Senator Sheldon said in a joint statement that they would go into quarantine until they received an all-clear from doctors.

“We both attended a Senate inquiry hearing on Monday March 9 with Senator Bragg,” Senator McAllister and Senator Sheldon said. “We are both self-isolating while we are seeking advice from health authorities, and will follow their advice.”

Senator Patrick has gone into self-isolation.

Senator Bragg said: “The immediate thing has been to properly brief my staff and ensure they have all the information they need.”