Pictured: Central Coast News reporter Skaie Hull
A journalist who forgot to hit 'mute' while she ranted about the NSW deputy premier during an online press conference says she was 'p***ed off' because he wouldn't give a straight answer to her question.
Skaie Hull said she waited for about an hour to ask John Barilaro whether Covid-19 patients from western Sydney were transferred to Gosford Hospital during his daily briefing for regional media outlets on Tuesday.
When he refused to comment on the reports claiming it would be 'scaremongering' and turned her camera off, the Central Coast News reporter lost her cool in full earshot of Mr Barilaro and about 90 other news outlets.
'Same thing, "scare-mongering freakin' rumours". He turned his camera off on me, so I'm p***ed off,' Ms Hull fumed. 'He purposely did that.
The 29-year-old told Daily Mail Australia said she was furious because she had been fruitlessly trying to get a straight answer about Covid patients in Gosford for weeks.
NSW Deputy premier John Barilaro claims he did not intentionally turn his camera off during a press conference
'We have been trying to get information and we can't,' she said.
'And then when we try and ask a question and they say we're "fear-mongering" and spreading rumours, it's frustrating.'
Ms Hull explained that reporters often sit on Zoom calls for more than an hour - 'you have to wait your turn, and then your question isn't taken seriously,' she added.
During the outburst, Mr Barilaro intervened to let her know everyone on the call could hear her, and explain that he didn't turn the camera off intentionally.
'Skaie, we can hear all that and that's not correct, I didn't turn off your camera. I was actually trying to find the next question,' he said during the awkward exchange.
'So Skaie, with everything you've said, I'm disappointed. And everyone else heard it as well, just letting you know.'
He turned his attention to the next reporter, who cheekily promised to express his opinions to the deputy premier's face.
Central Coast News reporter Skaie Hull (pictured) made her feelings known about what she thinks of NSW deputy premier John Barilaro on Tuesday
Ms Hull said she received a call from someone in the deputy premier's office immediately following the conference to tell her the camera really did cut out while he looked for the next question.
She didn't believe that was the case at first, but has since reached out to Mr Barilaro and says they're on good terms again.
'I told him I'd put my mic on mute next time, and he said "don't worry, we all do it",' she laughed.
Ms Hull didn't realise Prime7 Wagga journalist Samantha Costin shared the awkward video in the
