NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard apologises for calling Labor leader Jodi McKay 'quite stupid' in mask stoush

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has admitted he was "a little frustrated" when he called Labor leader Jodi McKay "quite stupid" during a heated parliamentary exchange over face masks.

It began with an interview on 2GB with Ben Fordham when Mr Hazzard said if masks were to be made mandatory in the state, it could lead to huge demand.

Ms McKay questioned whether there was a shortage of masks in the state, and the back and forth reached boiling point during Question Time yesterday afternoon.

Mr Hazzard branded the opposition leader a "goose", a "pork chop", and "quite stupid" when it was suggested there was not enough masks for all of NSW.

"The questions is, do we or do we not have enough face masks?" Ms McKay said.

Mr Hazzard responded: "You certainly need one… would you just be quiet?

"If I was sitting next to somebody like you on a bus, I would definitely have one."

This morning they both appeared on Fordham's show together, with the health minister apologising for the outburst.

"I think it's fair to say I was a little frustrated with Jodi," Mr Hazzard said.

He explained there are two stockpiles of masks in the state – including one for doctors, police officers and other frontline workers.

"I was tired, and I was frustrated, and I shouldn't have responded the way I did and I'm sorry for doing that to you Jodi and generally," Mr Hazzard added.

Ms McKay was insistent the health minister had not answered her question about whether there are enough masks in NSW.