Scott Morrison has apologised to Kevin Rudd for claiming the former prime minister had been given special approval to travel overseas during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Morrison made the comment in parliamentary Question Time on Monday when asked by Labor why another former prime minister Tony Abbott and ex-foreign minister Alexander Downer had been given approval to leave and re-enter Australia multiple times.
"I am happy to apologise to Mr Rudd," Mr Morrison told parliament.
"I had been otherwise informed and I very happily correct the record."
Mr Morrison said he had written to Speaker Tony Smith last night to correct the record, but could not come into the chamber to do so - as is usual practice - because he was chairing the national security committee of cabinet.
Mr Rudd said in a statement earlier it was an "utter falsehood" by Mr Morrison.
"I have not left Australia since returning home from New York in March," he said.
"I haven't even left Queensland. The Morrison government's own records will prove this."
