Josh Frydenberg in self-isolation after coughing fit during budget speech

The federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg is isolating and has been tested for COVID-19 following a coughing fit on the floor of parliament Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Frydenberg delivered what he described as sobering economic news this afternoon – but it was prolonged bouts of coughing that disrupted the speech which had people talking.

He was forced to stop and drink water on a number of occasions.

“Luckily I’ve got some water. Too long a speech …. It’s all right … My voice has gone now,” he remarked at one point.

On Tuesday afternoon, his office confirmed he had been tested for COVID-19 following the speech and was self-isolating.

“Today while delivering my ministerial statement I had a dry mouth and a cough,” Mr Frydenberg said in a statement.

“The DCMO (Deputy Chief Medical Officer) advised me that out of an abundance of caution it was prudent I be tested for COVID-19.”

The treasurer said he will await the result in isolation and said he expects to know the test result on Wednesday.

Mr Frydenberg has also been forced to cancel a scheduled appearance on ABC’s 7:30 program tonight.

“Unfortunately the treasurer won't be able to join us tonight from his isolation - best wishes for your test result,” host Leigh Sales posted on social media this afternoon.

There is no suggestion yet that Mr Frydenberg has contracted the respiratory illness of COVID-19, but the unusual moment on the floor of parliament prompted a strong reaction online, including some wild speculation that coronavirus had affected more than just the treasurer’s numbers.

“Josh, get tested directly after the speech, and self isolate!” one Twitter user wrote.

“OMG Josh Frydenberg coughing his way through his outline of the Economic Impact of coronavirus is worrying. Did no one tell him not to rub his nose or cough into his hand?” said another.

A number of those watching on expressed a sense of concern for Mr Frydenberg with one person calling the moment “more dramatic than intended”.

“Someone should probably sanitise that dispatch box after Josh Frydenberg is done, just in case,” one Twitter user wrote while others pointed out that he often failed to cough into his elbow – which is the current advice from health officials.

A ‘sobering’ turn for the Australian economy

If all went perfectly, Tuesday was supposed to be the day the government and treasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled a balanced national budget. But the eventual reality turned out to be very different.

“Overall, the economic data has been sobering,” Mr Frydenberg said.

However, the government appears to be turning its energy towards potentially winding back coronavirus stimulus measures by warning it can’t stuff an economic cushion full of cash forever.

On Tuesday, Mr Frydenberg stressed that the nation's finances can only be sustained by a strong and growing economy, which means consumer and business confidence is vital.

Treasury estimates the first stage of lifting coronavirus restrictions will send a quarter of a million people back to their jobs and add more than $3 billion to the economy.

By the time all states reach the third stage of the progressive reopening, roughly in July, the economy will be growing by $9.4 billion a month and 850,000 more Australians will be back in work.

Australia’s coronavirus-hit economy at a glance

Treasury forecasts:

• 10 per cent drop in GDP in June quarter

• Worth $50 billion, equivalent to total quarterly production of SA, Tasmania, NT and ACT

• Would be biggest fall on record

• Household consumption 16 per cent lower

• Business investment 18 per cent lower

• Dwelling investment 18 per cent lower

• Treasury will deliver an updated fiscal outlook in June after March quarter national accounts

Data on hand:

• Job ads halved in April

• Activity in construction, manufacturing and services had largest ever monthly falls

• New motor vehicle sales dropped 48 per cent

• House sales fell 40 per cent

• Domestic and international air travel down more than 97 per cent

• Number of jobs fell 7.5 per cent

• Wages bill paid by businesses fell 8.2 per cent

• Accommodation and food services lost 33.4 per cent of jobs

• Arts and recreation sector lost 27 per cent of jobs

with AAP

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