Prime Minster Scott Morrison under fire after visit to Sydney amid Canberra, NSW COVID lockdowns

Mr Morrison flew from Canberra on Saturday afternoon, and returned on Monday morning.

A government spokesperson said the Prime Minister had been approved to be in the ACT under conditions set out by ACT Health, which classify members of Parliament as essential workers able to leave home for essential work.

It is understood the ACT's chief health officer granted Mr Morrison a level three stay-at-home order, and that the Prime Minister is required to undergo frequent testing and restrict his movements, in an arrangement similar to his re-entry to the territory in July.

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But Labor senator Kristina Keneally said the federal government's failures were the reason millions of Australians were in lockdown and separated from their families every day.

"It's lovely that Mr Morrison was able to spend Father's Day with his daughters and I am sure they were happy to see him, but millions of Australians are in lockdown, separated from their families every day, because Mr Morrison failed to fix quarantine and secure enough vaccines," she said.

"Not only are state borders separating families now, but so too is the international border - there are over 400 Australian children stranded overseas without their parents and their families are desperate to get them home.

"Now that Mr Morrison is back in Canberra I hope he spends his time setting up quarantine that keeps us safe, and getting the vaccine rollout fixed - if he doesn't do these two jobs, then the rest of us have very little hope of seeing our loved ones any time soon."

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr early this afternoon said he was aware the Prime Minister may have travelled back to Sydney and that he would need to check the status of requirements set for Mr Morrison.

However, he said he was sure the Prime Minister had abided by the requirements.

Mr Morrison returned to Canberra today to address the national summit on women's safety, and for a national security committee meeting.

Under ACT restrictions, non-residents of the territory are not permitted to enter the ACT unless an exemption is obtained before arriving. Those granted an exemption must follow stay-at-home requirements except to undertake essential work if they cannot work remotely.

Health authorities will consider exemptions for parliamentarians entering the ACT for essential parliamentary business outside of sitting weeks, under the territory's restrictions.

Mr Morrison quarantined at The Lodge after arriving in Canberra in July under an essential worker exemption.

Federal MPs who arrived in Canberra to attend the most recent parliamentary sittings in person also quarantined under restrictions set by the ACT government.

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