Peter Dutton posed for a photo next to Ivanka Trump just days before he tested positive for coronavirus
- Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton tested positive for coronavirus
- He revealed on Friday that he had been diagnosed with the killer disease
- Mr Dutton posed with Ivanka Trump - the US president's daughter - on March 7
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton met and posed for a photo next to Ivanka Trump just days before he tested positive for coronavirus.
The pair posed for a photo in Washington, DC, on March 7 and Mr Dutton's hands were seen resting next to Ms Trump's left hip.
US Attorney General Bill Barr is also in the photo next to Ms Trump, President Donald Trump's daughter.
The meeting was part of a Five Eyes meeting with officials from Australia, the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand present.
Peter Dutton (pictured, third from right) also met with US president Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka (fourth from right) during his trip overseas
The Liberal Party politician, 49, is now in hospital after becoming the 200th case of the deadly respiratory infection to hit Australia.
Three people have died in Australia.
Share this article
It has sparked fears that the entire cabinet, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, will be forced to self-isolate after meeting Mr Dutton earlier this week.
But a spokesman for the prime minister insisted Mr Dutton was not contagious at the time of the meeting, so none of the cabinet ministers will be tested.
The cabinet met on Tuesday to discuss the budget, and will have been sat in close proximity, prompting calls for parliament to shut down.
It is thought Mr Dutton then took a commercial flight back to Brisbane later on Tuesday.
He said in a statement that he woke up on Friday morning with 'a temperature and a sore throat' but 'feels fine'.
Mr Dutton then 'immediately contacted the Queensland Department of Health' and submitted himself for a test, which came back positive.
The politician had recently returned from a work trip to the United States.
'This morning I woke up with a temperature and a sore throat,' he said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
'I immediately contacted the Queensland Department of Health and was subsequently tested for Covid-19.
'I was advised by Queensland Health this afternoon that the test had returned positive.
Peter Dutton (pictured, centre) is now in hospital in Queensland after being diagnosed with the coronavirus
Peter Dutton (pictured) was in the US on March 6 to meet with intelligence officials as part of the Five Eyes programme
'It is the policy of Queensland Health that anyone who tests positive is to be admitted into hospital and I have complied with their advice.
'I feel fine and will provide an update in due course.'
Earlier on Friday, Mr Dutton didn't appear for his interview on the Today Show.
The show's host Allison Langdon said the politician was suffering from a 'stomach bug'.
More to come.
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
