Dr Monique Ryan scolds Coalition MPs for not wearing masks in public

A doctor who booted Josh Frydenberg out of politics has scolded the vast majority of opposition MPs for not wearing asks in Parliament.

Monique Ryan defeated the former treasurer in the seat of Kooyong, in southeast Melbourne, at the May 21 election as one of the seven ‘teal’ independents.

A former paediatric neurologist, she asked Health Minister Mark Butler in question time what the government was going to do about long Covid in Australia.

But Ms Ryan’s warning of an ‘incoming national significant burden of disability and chronic illness’ from long Covid drew jeers from Coalition MPs.

As the heckling grew louder, Ms Ryan paused to point at the opposition benches and shouted ‘put your masks on!’

This only served to raise the volume of jeering from the opposition, only seven of whom were wearing masks while all of Labor was.

Ms Ryan gave the hacklers a death stare and completed her question with a brief pause. 

‘Covid-19 infections in this country are at a record high and increasing, can the minister please explain how he proposes to manage the oncoming national significant burden of disability and chronic illness of repeated infection,’ she said.

The great divide between the Coalition and Labor – and most of the crossbench – on mask wearing has been a frequent distraction in the first few days of Parliament.

All 77 Labor MPs and 26 senators have worn masks indoors since their first Cabinet and caucus meetings a week ago, and in every session of Parliament.

Health Minister Mark Butler (centre) was asked in in question time what the government was going to do about long Covid in Australia

Mr Albanese often leaves his mask off while in his seat at the centre table, as he is socially distanced from the rest of the House of Representatives. 

By contrast, only a smattering of masks are worn by Coalition members, though that number has slightly increased over the past week

Michael McCormack, Karen Andrews, Angie Bell, Andrew Gee, Andrew Wallace, Mark Coluton, Rowan Ramsey, and Darren Chester wore them during Monday’s question time.

The PM has strongly supported recommendations from health officials that Australians should wear masks indoors over winter.

Covid cases rose to among the highest levels in the pandemic in recent weeks, with 45,242 reported on Friday, with an estimated 369,850 active infections. 

More to come.