COVID-19: Police 'assessing' video of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews walking to press conference without face mask

The footage shows the Premier walking to Thursday's press conference at Parliament without wearing a mask.
The footage shows the Premier walking to Thursday's press conference at Parliament without wearing a mask. Photo credit: Twitter

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is being assessed by Australian police after footage of him walking to a press conference without a face mask emerged. 

The footage, which was posted on Twitter by 7News journalist Paul Dowsley, shows the Premier walking to Thursday's press conference at Parliament without wearing a mask. 

In Victoria, anyone 12 years and over must wear a fitted face mask whenever they leave their home, indoors or outdoors, unless they are exempt. 

In a statement to 7News, police said they are "currently assessing a video of Premier Daniel Andrews walking across a carpark in Melbourne without a mask on, 7 October".

"As the incident is being reviewed by investigators, we will not be providing further comment at this stage." 

Under Victoria's COVID-19 rules anyone who does not wear a face mask when required and does not have an exemption can be fined $200.

On Friday, 3AW host Neil Mitchell suggested Andrews might be forced to "fine himself". 

"Premier, if you're going to lock us up for lapses and fine businesses when they're trying to do the right thing, well you've got to pay the price yourself. 

"Maybe he could just apologise at the press conference, say he's made a mistake ... and give $200 to charity. It was an oversight, it's not a huge issue, but it's a symbol."

Andrews isn't the only Australian politician to find themselves in hot water recently. 

Last Friday New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigned amid an investigation into her conduct by the state's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Berejiklian said she has executed her duties with the "highest levels of integrity", and the issues she's being investigated over are ones that she has already been wrongly criticised over by political opponents.

"I want to be clear, in all the decisions I have made as Minister or Premier of New South Wales, my first consideration has always been the wellbeing and welfare of the people of this state.

"History will demonstrate I have executed my duties again with the highest level of integrity for the benefit of the people of New South Wales for whom I have had the privilege to serve."

The ICAC is investigating whether Premier Gladys Berejiklian breached public trust when she awarded grants to a number of community organisations between 2012 and 2018.

The probe will look into whether Berejiklian's public duties and her personal relationship with then-NSW Member of Parliament Daryl Maguire ever caused a conflict of interest.