Australian treasurer tested after coughing fit while Covid-19 budget

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has been tested for Covid-19 and is in self-isolation after suffering a coughing fit while delivering a coronavirus-related budget in the parliament. 

“Today while delivering my ministerial statement I had a dry mouth and cough,” Frydenberg said in a statement issued a few hours after the incident.

“The Deputy Chief Medical Officer advised me that out of an abundance of caution it was prudent I be tested for Covid-19,” he said.

Frydenberg said he immediately left the Parliament House to be tested and will remain in self-isolation while waiting for the test result, which is expected on Wednesday.

Frydenberg struggled for a few minutes to suppress a coughing fit in the socially-distanced parliament on Tuesday afternoon. 

“Too long a speech,” he quipped in his lost voice. 

In the live video broadcast, Frydenberg is seen coughing into his hand several times before touching his face and the despatch box, going against the government’s own medical advice to limit the germs’ spread. 

In the address, Frydenberg said the coronavirus will wipe out about 50 billion dollars (32.4 billion US dollars) from the Australian economy. 

If not for the impact of the coronavirus crisis, Frydenberg had been expected to announce the country’s first budget surplus in 12 years.

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Instead, experts say Australia now faces the largest budget deficit in the country’s history.

“With 320 billion dollars, or 16.4 per cent of GDP in financial support, our focus is getting the country through the crisis and positioning the economy to recover on the other side,” he told parliament.

Australia has confirmed close to 7,000 coronavirus cases and 97 virus-related deaths. (dpa)