Kooyong MP Monique Ryan caught maskless after lecturing pollies

Kooyong MP Monique Ryan has defended going maskless at a fundraiser, just weeks after shouting at fellow MPs to “put your masks on”.

Kooyong MP Dr Monique Ryan has defended leaked video showing her not wearing a mask while dancing at a Melbourne fundraiser.

The independent MP, who unseated Liberal Josh Frydenberg, caused a stir last month when she yelled “put your masks on” at the Coalition members during Question Time.

But just a few weeks later, footage obtained by Sky News shows a maskless Dr Ryan dancing near people indoors.

It was reportedly taken at the Hawthorn Community Chest Trivia Night Fundraiser, held at the Glenferrie Primary School on August 19.

Asked if she practices what she preaches or whether it was hypocritical, Dr Ryan said: “I do wear a mask … almost all of the time”.

Monique Ryan has defended video showing her dancing without a mask. Picture: Arsineh Houspian

“I think that particular instance was an unusual one,” she told Sky News.

“I don’t wear a mask when I’m outside and I’m in a public setting where I don’t think that that’s appropriate.” 

Dr Ryan, who was grilled about her lecture in the House of Representatives, said it was “upsetting” that Coalition MPs not showing their colleagues “care of respect” by wearing a mask.

The teal MP said she was “not always the mask police” but did wear a mask at work and when she felt she couldn’t socially isolate.

“The reality is that Covid is with us and we need to live with it,” Dr Ryan said.

“I don’t eat, drink, sleep and wash in a mask.

“But I do wear a mask where I’m worried about keeping the people that I work with safe.”

Dr Ryan, who has raised concerns about long Covid, is calling for a Covid summit to provide clarity about what Covid measures were still appropriate and how Australia might manage another outbreak.