NSW Police have ruled Deputy Premier John Barilaro did not breach coronavirus restrictions by making a trip to his Southern Tablelands farm at the weekend.
The Premier Gladys Berejiklian was on Thursday morning grilled about her deputy's decision to travel almost two hours from his home in Queanbeyan to his family farm at Nerriga.
Mr Barilaro inadvertently revealed the trip during a press conference on Monday when he said he built a cubby house with his daughter there.
On Thursday afternoon a spokesperson for NSW Police said neither the journey to Nerriga or Mr Barilaro's stay at the farm breached the Public Health Act and they have subsequently concluded their inquiries.
In a statement on Thursday, the NSW Nationals leader said he went to the farm to "feed chickens, mow lawns and tend to maintenance".
"In NSW you have always been permitted to travel to your farm or property to tend to it," he said.
"As of 1 May two adults and dependant children can visit another household no matter the distance required to travel.
"My property in Nerriga is located within my electorate of Monaro and is an acreage which requires maintenance."
The Premier said she had been unaware of the trip.
"But I will say this, I think it's important for us to acknowledge that unlike other states NSW hasn't put a restriction on how far you can travel if it's for work, or to care for someone," she said.
Arts Minister Don Harwin resigned last month after it was revealed he was sprung staying at his Central Coast beach house during the lockdown.
Mr Harwin was fined $1,000 for breaching the state's travel restrictions.
At the time, Mr Barilaro condemned Mr Harwin's conduct and said he was "bloody angry" about the situation.
"Politicians aren't exempt from this rule and what Don Harwin has done over the last couple of weeks is unacceptable. I'm absolutely upset about it," Mr Barilaro said.
"In the public eye, it looks like politicians believe they're above the rules and above the law and we're not."
It comes the same week as Mr Barilaro became embroiled in public spats with two of his senior colleagues over a by-election in the federal electorate of Eden-Monaro.
NSW Transport Minister and Bega MP Andrew Constance partly blamed Mr Barilaro for his decision not to contest the seat after the Deputy Premier reportedly described him as a c**t to a colleague.
Mr Constance's backflip came less than 24 hours after he had announced he would seek Liberal pre-selection and attempt a switch to federal politics.
Mr Barilaro had also considered running for the seat, but on Monday revealed he had decided not to.
After he withdrew from the pre-selection race, text messages sent by Mr Barilaro to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, the federal Nationals leader, were leaked to the media.
"Don't hide behind the 'members will choose the candidate' rubbish, as you were the only one saying such lines," Mr Barilaro wrote.
"Don't you think my branches would have backed me in?
"To feel threatened by me clearly shows you have failed your team and failed as a leader.
"You will never be acknowledged by me as our leader. You aren't. You never will be."
