The NSW premier admits she failed to adhere to her own government's COVID-19 guidelines by not isolating after being tested, and says her experience should be "a lesson to everybody" to avoid carelessness.
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Gladys Berejiklian took a COVID-19 test in her parliament house office on NSW budget day last Tuesday because she was losing her voice.
She says she was tested about 4pm on November 17 and received her negative result two hours later, but did not isolate in the meantime. Ms Berejiklian continued working and meeting with colleagues and staff.
She also entered the NSW lower house to vote at 5:40pm.
NSW Health guidelines state anyone who has undergone a virus test must immediately self-isolate until their test result is received.
Ms Berejiklian admitted she had been careless, saying she had taken the COVID-19 test out of an abundance of caution.
"Let my example be a lesson to everybody how easy it is to slip up, let your guard down," Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Wednesday.
"I certainly will work really hard not to ever let that happen again."
Ms Berejiklian denied becoming complacent about COVID-19, saying she had been so cautious that she hadn't hugged her parents since February.
Opposition Leader Jodi McKay on Wednesday said the premier's explanation was unacceptable, and her behaviour had put others in parliament at risk.
"Gladys Berejiklian thinks she's above the health guidelines, she doesn't have to isolate while waiting for test results, and then when questioned, can lie about her movements and get away with it," Ms McKay wrote on Twitter.
Australian Associated Press
