Friday 25 November 2022 06:41 AM Kerry Chant questioned over Brad Hazzard avoiding isolation last year trends now
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has defended contact tracing that led to the health minister being assessed as a COVID-19 casual contact, amid claims he was exposed to an infected colleague at a dinner function.
A parliamentary inquiry on Friday examined the COVID-19 classification of Health Minister Brad Hazzard following a potential exposure on June 22, 2021 at the National Party dinner.
Mr Hazzard has been accused of receiving preferential treatment after avoiding mandatory isolation, despite allegedly having contact with Nationals MP Adam Marshall at the event. Mr Marshall later went COVID-positive.
Under questioning from One Nation MP Mark Latham, (pictured) Dr Kerry Chant told the inquiry that the investigation into virus exposure at parliament house was 'very thorough'
The inquiry was told of a 'central contradiction' between the versions of Mr Hazzard and Mr Marshall on whether they interacted.
Mr Hazzard, the probe was told, informed contact tracers there was no contact while Mr Marshall, in a submission, claims the men conversed at close quarters.
Under questioning from One Nation MP Mark Latham, Dr Chant told the inquiry that the investigation into virus exposure at parliament house was 'very thorough'.
'The contact tracing process was a robust one,' she said.
Dr Chant said she had faith in contact tracers involved in the process, which she noted moved rapidly to assess cases and contacts.
She said 'extensive analysis' using interviews and CCTV was undertaken by the team to make their calls.
'This was an example where there
