Sally Rugg will be paid as Monique Ryan’s chief of staff for at least two more weeks

At a hearing in Melbourne, attended by Ryan in person and Rugg remotely, lawyers urged that documents detailing the case be kept secret until the parties reach an agreement.

The case, which was hearing before Judge Debra Mortimer, was delayed slightly after Rugg’s attorneys asked for more time to review correspondence they received from Ryan’s legal team overnight.

Multiple sources, all speaking on condition of anonymity because legal proceedings were ongoing, have confirmed Rugg resigned from her position over Christmas. But sources close to the matter, who were not free to address the recordings, claimed she was pushed to do so. Employees believed the split was amicable and included Rugg working until January 31.

The case has also drawn renewed attention to the demands placed on political personnel, which has also been the subject of recent scrutiny of bad culture at Canberra’s Parliament House.

Ryan told in October The Australian She considered fundraising for additional staff, as some staff worked more than 70 hours a week. “It’s not healthy. I think it’s only a matter of time before we have a bad result with one of our employees,” she said at the time.