Teal MP Monique Ryan did not complete training prior to Sally Rugg’s unfair dismissal case

The Kooyong MP didn’t complete key workplace training, prompted by the alleged rape of Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, until weeks after an unfair dismisal case was launched.

Teal MP Monique Ryan did not complete a key workplace training program until five weeks after her then chief of staff Sally Rugg launched an unfair dismissal case. Picture: Ian Currie

Teal MP Monique Ryan did not complete a key workplace training program until five weeks after her then chief of staff Sally Rugg launched an unfair dismissal case.

The safe and respectful workplaces training was a key recommendation of a review into how serious incidents are handled in parliamentary offices, prompted by the alleged rape of Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

But the register of MPs who have undertaken the course reveals Dr Ryan did not undertake the training until March 2, 2023 – around nine months after she was elected.

Sally Rugg launced an unfair dismissal case against Monique Ryan.

The education program for parliamentarians aims to support them to “understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace, what constitutes unacceptable behaviour and how to respond to serious incidents when they occur”.

Politicians and their chiefs of staff receive one-hour training sessions, while groups of employees attend two-hour sessions.

At least 10 of the 151 MPs, including Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel and Nationals MP Sam Birrell, are yet to complete the training.

The revelations come as Ms Rugg pushes ahead with a trial, where she hopes to prove she was unfairly dismissed and improve working conditions for future parliamentary staffers after claiming she had to work “unreasonable hours”.

Adam Foster, an employment and safety partner at Colin Biggers & Paisley, said there was no straight answer to whether a 70-hour work week for parliamentary staff was reasonable.

But the case may lay the groundwork for workers in senior positions to do less hours or receive greater remuneration for the overtime.

Monique Ryan and Sally Rugg in happier times.

Mr Foster it would result in the “pro-worker” Albanese government reflecting on the workplace law, or improving training for MPs, even if Ms Rugg loses.

Prior to Tuesday's hearing, the Commonwealth did not agree that the settlement put forward by Ms Rugg and Dr Ryan’s legal teams was reasonable.

But a deal could be reached prior to the trial.

The issue of unreasonable working hours, raised by Ms Rugg, is expected to be raised when negotiations on the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff enterprise agreement is negotiated this year.

In its submission to the MOPS Act review last year, the public sector union said hours of work was an issue that required greater data.

The parliament has over the years also reduced its sitting hours, with divisions no longer occurring late into the night to make parliament more family friendly.

But government insiders told the Herald Sun the case was unlikely to prompt an increase in the staffing allocation.

Dr Ryan’s office was contacted for comment.

The man accused of raping Ms Higgins has repeatedly denied doing so and recently launched defamation action against Ten and News Life Media Pty Ltd.