Coronavirus updates LIVE: ADF repeatedly offered to assist Victorian quarantine: Defence Minister; 19 deaths for second day as Victoria records 331 new cases; NSW on alert

"I don't believe ADF support was on offer," he said. "It's been provided in limited circumstances in New South Wales, not to provide security as such but to provide transportation from the airport to hotels.

"I think it is fundamentally incorrect to assert that there were hundreds of ADF staff on offer and somehow, someone said no."

In her statement released late today, Senator Reynolds revealed that ADF support was offered on multiple occasions and either refused or not taken up by Victoria.

"Following the Prime Minister's offer on 27 March 2020 for ADF support to states and territories with the new mandatory 14-day quarantine period for international arrivals, the ADF discussed requirements with relevant state and territory authorities," Senator Reynolds said.

"On 28 March, 2020, Victorian authorities advised that Victoria was not seeking ADF assistance with mandatory quarantine arrangements. The ADF was consistently advised that its assistance was not required for any 'public facing roles' in Victoria.

"ADF officials asked whether Victorian authorities required assistance with its mandatory quarantine system on multiple occasions. No request for quarantine support was subsequently received from Victoria at that time."

It was not until June 24 that the ADF received a request from Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp for 850 personnel to provide "compliance and monitoring support" at quarantine hotels. This request was approved by the ADF but rescinded by the Andrews government the next day.

Senator Reynolds said the ADF helped with compliance at quarantine hotels in Queensland and NSW.