A senior federal Labor MP has contracted COVID-19 and will have to isolate for the next week, two days after the campaign for the national election began.
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The candidate for the NSW seat of Fowler in Sydney's southwest, home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally, said she woke up on Tuesday morning feeling ill.
"This morning I woke up feeling rotten and tested positive for COVID," she posted on Twitter.
"I'll be isolating at home in Liverpool for the next seven days."
Ms Keneally is attempting to make the transition from NSW senator to lower house MP in the poll, which was called on Sunday for May 21.
Fowler is a safe Labor seat previously held by Chris Hayes, who is leaving politics.
"A big thank you to the ALP Fowler volunteers for campaigning without me at train stations this morning - very grateful," Ms Keneally said.
Meanwhile, Australians stuck in isolation on election day as a confirmed case or close contact will still be able to cast their vote.
For the first federal election of the COVID-19 era, the Australian Electoral Commission is working on a nation-first telephone voting system for those subject to isolation orders.
Voters who miss pre-polling and postal vote options will have to make a declaration they are subject to a health order to access the emergency measure.
Confirmed cases and most close contacts are currently required to spend seven days in isolation across the country.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA:
NSW: 15,334 cases, 11 deaths, 1584, in hospital, 70 in ICU
Victoria: 10,293 cases, 12 deaths, 376 in hospital, 19 in ICU
Queensland: 7882 cases, six deaths, 572 in hospital, 16 in ICU
Tasmania: 2050 cases, two deaths, 55 in hospital, three in ICU
Western Australia: 6348 cases, three historical deaths, 236 in hospital, seven in ICU
South Australia: 4401 cases, six deaths, 232 in hospital, 12 in ICU
Northern Territory: 512 cases, 29 in hospital, one in ICU
Australian Associated Press
