Activist and adviser takes independent MP Monique Ryan to Federal Court

High-profile teal independent Monique Ryan is facing court action by her chief of staff over an alleged breach of workplace law.

Dr Ryan recruited activist Sally Rugg, the former Change.org executive director and GetUp campaign director, after winning the affluent inner-eastern Melbourne seat of Kooyong from former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

But after just six months in the role, Ms Rugg has taken the commonwealth and the member for Kooyong to the Federal Court.

The chief of staff last week filed an originating application over an alleged breach of general protections under the Fair Work Act. MP staff are employed by the Commonwealth, not individual politicians or parties.

Ms Rugg played a key role in the marriage equality campaign as the campaign director for GetUp between 2013 to 2018.

She also unsuccessfully campaigned for a royal commission into News Corp, alongside former prime minister Kevin Rudd.

In July, Dr Ryan said she was “delighted” to reveal Ms Rugg had joined her team.

“Sally is an outstanding all-rounder with excellent leadership experience, a proven track record of effective policy advocacy, and high level strategic communications skills,” she said.

Dr Ryan was one of the most high profile pro-climate candidates at the 2022 election.

In her first speech to parliament, a paedeatric neurologist – called on the government to restore faith in politics and act on climate change.

“As a doctor, researcher and scientist, my job has always been to care for children and to protect their futures,” Dr Ryan said.

“I stood for election for the seat of Kooyong because I felt – and the people of Kooyong felt – that our previous government was not doing that.”

She also was among the independent female MPs called for a code of conduct following the recommendations of the Jenkins review into parliament’s toxic workplace culture. The Jenkins review was ordered after the alleged rape of former Coalition ministerial staffer Brittany Higgins. Charges against the man, who strenuously denied the allegations, were not pursued by the DPP

Prominent law firm, Maurice Blackburn, is representing Ms Rugg.

An interlocutory hearing before Federal Court judge Debra Mortimer is listed for 10:15am this Friday.

No details of the action have been made available to media organisations following a decision by the Federal Court late last year to restrict the access to certain court documents, including statements of claim, until the case makes it to court.