Brad Hazzard responds to Gladys Berejiklian’s face mask controversy during Sydney coffee run

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has defended his boss Premier Gladys Berejiklian after she was caught without wearing a face mask while on a coffee run with her high-profile lawyer boyfriend over the weekend.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has labelled media as “taking an opportunity” after Gladys Berejiklian was slapped on the front page of a Sydney newspaper without a mask while waiting for her coffee order.

“Seriously. Taking an opportunity to have a go at the premier’s private life by getting a photo when she was more than double where we are from you now,” he told the reporters.

“We know that the health orders are given as a guide to help the community get through what is a very difficult time.”

He said “common sense” was needed and people should distance themselves from other people and premises.

“If you are 9 metres away, that is more than adequate,” Mr Hazzard said.

The premier was quizzed by a reporter on whether the health orders were not clear enough, suggesting there needs to be stronger enforcement.

“I think the health message has been extremely clear in relation to that,” she said.

Ms Berejiklian reiterated that people exercising outdoors did not need to wear a mask but it would be mandatory if you could not social distance.

She was snapped waiting a reported 7.93m from the café and about 9.27m from the coffee machine in pictures obtained by The Daily Telegraph.

Sky News Australia does not suggest Ms Berejiklian broke the health order but the mention of the mandate “near” was unclear.

The publication alleged the state premier, who wore a puffer jacket with a fluffy hood, only donned her face mask after spotting the photographer.

Her high-profile boyfriend lawyer, Arthur Moses was reportedly already wearing a face covering while waiting to pick-up the hot drinks on Sunday.

According to the NSW Government website, face masks are mandatory “outdoors next to food and drink premises or retail premises in Greater Sydney (such as queuing outside a café)”.

A spokesperson for the premier maintained she had not broken a public health order.

“To follow the premier around in the area where she lives to obtain photos of her with a friend during their private time is one thing which, whilst uncomfortable for the Premier, is regrettably accepted as part of holding public office,” the spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph.

“However, it is wrong and unfair to suggest or imply that she has broken a health order based on photos taken at different angles when she clearly has not. Further, the premier is always mindful of her obligations under the health orders and always seeks to maintain an appropriate social distance outdoors.”

The spokesperson said the premier “always wears a mask” where social distancing is not possible.

“We’re all in this together, trying to do our best … to keep each other safe, and should not be creating distractions based on wrong facts.”