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Social activist Sally Rugg bragged online about landing her job as independent MP Dr Monique Ryan’s chief of staff, but now she’s suing her for overworking her.
The old GetUp! and the Change.org activist was named the MP’s chief of staff after Dr Ryan defeated then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg for Kooyong’s luxe Melbourne seat in May’s federal election.
In August, Ms Rugg took to Twitter to brag: “Love my new job omg.”
Two weeks earlier, she had posted with a blushing and smiling emoji: “Best first week of a new job.”
But now he is suing his boss in Federal Court after Dr. Ryan allegedly tried to fire Ms. Rugg for refusing to work ‘unreasonable overtime’.
Social activist Sally Rugg (pictured with her partner, ABC comedian Kate McCartney) had bragged online about landing her new job as chief of staff to independent MP Dr Monique Ryan, but is now suing her alone a few months later.
In August, Ms Rugg took to Twitter to brag: “Love my new job omg.”
Marriage equality activist Ms Rugg, whose partner is ABC TV comedian Kate McCartney, claims that Dr Ryan violated general protections under the Fair Labor Act.
Court documents filed Wednesday reveal that Ms. Rugg is seeking a final court order preventing the termination of her employment.
The lawsuit claims that his termination would violate Section 340 of the Fair Labor Act.
The Fair Labor Act is designed to protect workers from ‘harmful (adverse) actions, coercion, undue influence or pressure and/or misrepresentation, when affecting the rights of workers’.
The court documents add that Ms. Rugg “has exercised a workplace right…to refuse to work unreasonable additional hours.”
Sally Rugg (pictured right) is renowned for her star power and posted a photo on social media three weeks ago with ABC personalities including journalists Annabel Crabb (4th from left) and Louise Milligan (left ).
Ms Rugg is now being trolled on social media for her August 13 tweet.
“This aged perfectly,” said one commenter, while another asked Ms Rugg if she loved her job “so much that she’s suing her.”
Another added: ‘Not so much anymore, huh?’
Other commenters said they hoped the couple would be able to work out their differences and get back to working together.
“I thought you two were the dream team, smart and capable women with a passion for bettering society,” one fan posted.
“I hope this is just a glitch that can be fixed. They are both so admired by so many people and are an inspiration and an example for ambitious young women.’
Sally Rugg is being trolled on social media for the August tweet, while other commenters are more supportive (tweets shown)
Ms Rugg is renowned for her star power and was photographed on social media with top ABC personalities including journalists Annabel Crabb and Louise Milligan three weeks ago.
The lawsuit has set Canberra ablaze with gossip and speculation surrounding the reasons behind it, but new court rules barred further details from being revealed.
However, media organizations successfully fought Tuesday to have the court documents made public.
“We are delighted to welcome her to the Mon team,” Dr Ryan, a former GP, wrote on her website at the time of hiring Ms Rugg.
Independent Teal MP, Dr. Monique Ryan (pictured), is being sued in Federal Court by her social activist chief of staff for allegedly violating employment laws.
Dr. Ryan hired the former GetUp! activist as his top staff member after ousting then-treasurer Josh Frydenburg (pictured) at Kooyong’s Melbourne headquarters in the May election
He praised Ms. Rugg as “an outstanding multitasker with excellent leadership experience, a proven track record of effective policy advocacy and high-level strategic communication skills.”
Ms Rugg said at the time that she was “obviously” drawn to working with the independent MP because of his policies on climate change, gender equity, integrity and transparency in politics.
However, on January 25, Ms. Rugg’s lawyers, Maurice Blackburn, filed a lawsuit in Federal Court alleging Dr. Ryan’s failure to comply with employment laws.
It is understood that the Melbourne-based Ms Rugg is still currently employed by Dr Ryan.
but a means report at the weekend noted that Ms Rugg, who calls herself ‘Australia’s 11th favorite lesbian’, ‘had not proven to be a very good fit with Kooyong’.
Nina O’Connor, former campaign manager for Climate 200, the environmental lobby group backing teal candidates, convened and funded by Simon Holmes a Court, is believed to have replaced Ms Rugg as Dr’s chief of staff .Ryan.
Marriage equality activist Sally Rugg (pictured), whose partner is ABC TV comedian Kate McCartney, claims Dr. Ryan violated general protections under the Fair Labor Act
Marriage equality activist Sally Rugg got engaged to fellow ABC comedian Kate McCartney (both pictured) on New Year’s Day 2022
The case will initially come to court on Friday, February 3.
Ms Rugg previously launched a Gofundme to fund reporter Tegan George’s legal fight against Channel Ten over her alleged dealings in the Canberra bureau under political editor Peter Van Onselen. She shares the same law firm as Ms. George.
Ms Rugg’s lawyers declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Dr. Ryan’s office did not respond to requests for comment.