The new independent MP for Kooyong, Monique Ryan, has fired back at taunts from Coalition MPs after they interrupted her first question to parliament on Monday.
The former paediatric neurologist, who unseated former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg from his inner Melbourne seat in the May election, was asking Health Minister Mark Butler how the government planned to manage the burden of long COVID.
When opposition MPs, most of whom were not wearing masks, interjected during her question, Dr Ryan pointed in their direction and told them to "put your masks on".
"Repeated infections with COVID-19 tend to be more severe and carry a high risk of persisting symptoms for as long as six months ... increased risk of hospitalisation and death," she began.
"There's increasing risk of cumulative neurological and cardiovascular disease from repeated infections with COVID-19.
"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 — put your masks on — from repeated infection of COVID-19?"
Online, the moment has lit up social media, with some lambasting Opposition MPs for "modelling poor behaviour" and accusing them of showing "contempt for public services workers, medical, hospital, ambulance workers".
Others on social media laughed at the moment, saying it had reminded them of their "mum" or "teacher" putting them in their place.
"Monique Ryan has the most expressive eyebrows in the country," said one person on Twitter.
The moment highlighted a divide in Parliament as COVID-19 cases surge again in the country. As of 1 August, the Department of Health reports 347,678 active cases in Australia.
Despite MPs being encouraged to wear masks indoors as it is not mandated in Parliament, aside from a handful of exceptions, most Coalition MPs are not.
Labor and Greens MPs are mostly wearing masks in Parliament unless they are speaking.
Later on Twitter, Dr Ryan said she didn't "appreciate being interrupted while speaking on serious risks" of repeated infection.
"I particularly don’t appreciate being interrupted by shouting LNP MPs who refuse to wear masks," she continued.
"We all have a duty to look after each other. Here and everywhere. Put your mask on!"
In another tweet, the independent said mask-wearing should not be seen as "some sort of party-political statement" but a way to "look after each other". She clarified that she had only taken her mask off to pose the question to Mr Butler.
Responding to her question, Mr Butler thanked Dr Ryan.
"She actually is one of a large number of doctors and health professionals in the parliament who will add enormous quality and depth to our health policy," Mr Butler said.
"There can be no more important time than now because this pandemic is still ravaging our community."
Mr Butler said though official numbers show about 300,000 people are contracting COVID-19 in Australia each week, true numbers are likely "more than twice that".
"We think that as many as half of Australia has contracted COVID just over the course of this year so far, " he said.
“Our focus is on getting through this wave. We have extended support to state hospital system. We have expanded access to fourth-dose vaccines and antiviral treatment.
“We are encouraging Australians again to be COVID-safe. In particular, as the member pointed out, to wear masks when indoors [and] are not able to socially distance."
