Monique Ryan criticised by Peter Dutton ahead of the Teal MP facing a Federal Court hearing

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has hit out at Monique Ryan’s political credentials after the Kooyong MP’s staffer launched legal action against her.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has cast doubt on Dr Monique Ryan’s ability to be an effective local member for Kooyong, after the Teal’s chief-of-staff launched legal action against her.

Sally Rugg was allegedly sacked from Dr Ryan’s office for refusing to work “unreasonable” hours, according to court documents.

Speaking on 2GB, Mr Dutton said: “I think a lot of people in Kooyong, frankly, might be looking at Monique Ryan and wondering whether she’s got the qualities that are required for an effective local member that can act in their interests, instead of her own”.

“I know that she’s described by some of the other Teals as quite a prickly character.

Dr Monique Ryan. Picture: Gary Ramage

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Picture: Tara Croser

“Now I don’t work closely with her, but that’s their account. I just really think it bears a little more scrutiny.”

An urgent hearing to deal with the issue has been scheduled before Justice Debra Mortimer in the Federal Court on Friday.

Ms Rugg is seeking compensation and an injunction restraining Dr Ryan and the Commonwealth government from firing her, saying any such move would contravene the Fair Work Act.

Sally Rugg was hired by Dr Ryan in July last year after the MP controversially unseated Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong at the May election.

But court documents reveal after just six months, Dr Ryan told Ms Rugg, in what was described as “hostile conduct”, her employment would be terminated on January 31.

The move came after Ms Rugg claims, in her originating application filed in the Federal Court last week, she “exercised a workplace right” under the Fair Work Act “to refuse to work additional hours that were unreasonable”.

Sally Rugg is taking Monique Ryan to court over an alleged breach of the Fair Work Act. Picture: David Caird

An urgent hearing has been scheduled before Justice Debra Mortimer on Friday, where Ms Rugg, an activist, is seeking compensation and an injunction restraining Dr Ryan and the Commonwealth government from firing her, saying any such move would contravene the Fair Work Act.

She is also wanting the court to declare the Commonwealth and Dr Ryan breached provisions of the Act when they “took adverse action against *her) … being to injure (her) in her employment by engaging in hostile conduct in the workplace”.

Ms Rugg accused Dr Ryan of being the “principal actor” on behalf of the government in the contraventions.

She has asked Justice Mortimer to fine both Dr Ryan and the Commonwealth, and place “any other order needed to do justice” against them.

The Herald Sun first reported on Monday how Rugg had filed the lawsuit against Dr Ryan and the Commonwealth of Australia for breaches of general protections of the Fair Work Act in the Federal Court on January 25.

She is represented by leading law firm Maurice Blackburn, who would not comment on the case, only to say Ms Rugg remains employed.

At the time Dr Ryan hired Ms Rugg, she spruiked how she was “thrilled” to welcome her to her office.

“Sally is an outstanding all-rounder with excellent leadership experience, a proven track record of effective policy advocacy, and high level strategic communications skills,” Dr Ryan wrote on her website.

“We are thrilled to welcome her to Team Mon.”

An interlocutory hearing before Justice Mortimer has been listed for 10.15am on Friday.

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