Chief Minister Andrew Barr has claimed Canberrans would be disgusted by a "political pot shot" from ACT Senator Zed Seselja over his push to reopen Canberra's construction industry.
Senator Seselja has written to Mr Barr to ask him to prioritise the reopening of Canberra's construction industry.
Senator Seselja has also written to constituents to urge them to keep the pressure on the ACT government to open the construction industry.
"That sounds like he is playing some pretty ordinary politics. The people from Canberra will judge him for what he has done," Mr Barr said.
In response, Senator Seselja said he strongly supported measures to keep Canberra safe but he made no apologies for standing up for the construction industry.
"I have worked hard to deliver massive financial support to Canberrans doing it tough," Senator Seselja said.
"However, I make no apology for standing up for the livelihoods of thousands in the construction industry who want to be able to return to work and operate in a safe way.
"As Chief Minister, Andrew Barr needs to listen and not dismiss these legitimate concerns as political stunts."
In his letter, Senator Seselja wrote how construction has been allowed to operate in jurisdictions during lockdowns.
"Around the country, in large part, the building and construction industry has been allowed to continue to operate throughout the pandemic and the associated outbreaks," the letter said.
"I note in particular that during the recent shutdowns in NSW and Queensland the construction industry has continued to operate.
"The industry has, as appropriate, responded by implementing procedures to ensure that workers on site are able to operate in a Covid-safe manner and we have seen very little evidence of Covid-related breaches on worksites across the nation."
Mr Barr said the ACT government was working with construction industry stakeholders on measures to reopen sites safely but that restrictions could not yet be eased.
"Now is not the time to be easing restrictions. So whilst that work will continue with industry associations to chart a path forward," he said.
ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee also wrote to Mr Barr about the impact of the lockdown on Canberra's construction industry.
Under the ACT's current public health orders only essential construction work can take place.
Six infringements were issued to workers undertaking illegal work on a residential construction site in Taylor over the weekend.
Ms Lee said the isolated incident should not affect the rest of the industry.
"Whilst I acknowledge the recent crackdown on a site at Taylor, I am sure you will agree that this is - whilst serious - an isolated incident that should not unfairly disadvantage the vast majority of workers who are doing the right thing," Ms Lee wrote in the letter.
Mr Barr said on Tuesday that there were a high number contacts associated with the construction industry in Canberra.
