Virus spike in ACT, as parliament in doubt
Canberra's COVID-19 outbreak has grown to 28 cases as political leaders weigh up whether parliament should sit next week.
A further 19 cases were recorded in the national capital on Monday, triggering a two-week extension of the ACT lockdown until September 2.
New cases included an aged care worker - the first such case in the ACT since the pandemic began - and a high school student.
Federal parliament is due to return on Monday, but ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr wants Prime Minister Scott Morrison to reconsider.
"They need to consider the urgency of a federal parliamentary sitting and whether it is required," he told reporters.
"My preference would be that they don't unless they absolutely have to. And if they did, it would need to be a very minimal sitting and absolutely COVID-safe.
"But my starting point would be now is probably not the time for the federal parliament to return."
A government spokesman told AAP the situation was being monitored and any action in relation to parliament would be based on health advice.
Current ACT health rules classify Parliament House as an essential workplace which can remain open, albeit subject to tight restrictions.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese indicated he supported putting off the next sitting fortnight.
"Common sense will prevail here. It would be very difficult to get people here in order for parliament to sit," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Barr warned ACT residents to expect more cases in coming days and indicated the territory's budget due to be delivered on August 31 would likely be delayed.
Canberra's lockdown had been slated to expire this Thursday following its first case in 13 months.
"This is a serious situation," Mr Barr said.
"We do not want to see the numbers continue to grow. We do not want to see exponential growth as we have seen in other jurisdictions."
