ABC host laughs in politician's face on live TV after excruciating silence when she is stumped by a simple question... but she hits back with a brutal comment of her own

An ABC presenter has laughed at a high profile independent MP live on TV over her response to a simple question - but she got her own back, saying people dont watch his show.   

Referring to independent MP Allegra Spender paying social media content providers to make videos talking about the great things she is doing, Insiders host David Speers asked Ms Spenders fellow teal Monique Ryan if she had a problem with that.

Dr Ryan at first looked confused at the question, then paused, and then fumbled over an answer, eventually saying: We pay to generate the content we put to the voters. 

Im not sure theres a big issue there, she said. 

Should it be clear to voters, people looking at this content, that its paid for by the politician? Speers asked.

Dr Ryan again looked perplexed at the straightforward question, and after another pause and taking a loud breath, said Ah, look, I dont really have an opinion on it.

An astonished Speers said Really? before Dr Ryan, who represents the Melbourne seat of Kooyong, again fumbled, saying, I think... well... 

At this point, an incredulous Speers couldnt help but laugh out loud.

Independent MP Monique Ryan (pictured) was perplexed by a simple question on ABC TV

Insiders host David Speers (pictured) laughed at Dr Ryans inability to answer the question

You dont think voters deserve to know if someone they are watching is saying great things about that politician, whether theyre being paid by the politician? he said.

Oh look, Id have to give it some thought. Its not something I have given great thought to myself myself, Dr Ryan again waffled.

Obviously I havent engaged in anything like that myself.

Speers seemed to barely be able to believe what he was hearing and asked: Youd have to give that some thought?

Yet again, Dr Ryan, who was a paediatric neurologist before becoming an MP three years ago, paused to gather her thoughts and took a deep breath.

Well... ahh... I would think it would be clear... I dont know, she said, followed by the longest pause so far. 

I think... Id have to give it some thought, David, she eventually said.

So you might be alright with politicians paying for content that voters have no idea money is changing hands? Speers said.

Dr Ryan did manage to get a dig in on Speers though, saying politicians had to use social media as the reality is young people dont watch Insiders.

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Ms Spender has admitted to paying an agency and using influencers and content creators to make social media content.

Weve worked with an agency and a bunch of influencers and content creators to reach different audiences, she said.

It comes after the Australian Electoral Commission suggested political authorisations should be added to influencer posts that have been paid for by politicians.

There are no laws that prevent people being funded to put out messages or communicate on behalf of, or in collaboration with, a political entity, an AEC spokesman told the ABC.

It would only be a technical question of whether the specific statement meets the requirements.

The change would help create transparency between viewers and politicians and help audiences distinguish what online content has been paid for. 

Sunday mornings TV appearance was not the first time in recent weeks that Dr Ryan made unwanted headlines. 

Last month, in a heightening of tensions in a seat vital to the Coalitions chances of forming government, her husband Peter Jordan removed a sign backing her Liberal rival Amelia Hamer. 

Mr Jordan refused several times to say who he was when confronted by a Liberal supporter who filmed the encounter. 

He said he was entitled to take the sign down as it had been erected on public land in the constituency, which was previously held by a Liberal Party heroes Sir Robert Menzies and Josh Frydenberg, before Dr Ryan won it in 2022. 

Dr Ryans husband Peter Jordan (pictured) was caught removing a sign backing her Liberal rival Amelia Hamer 

Dr Ryan (right) is pictured with her fellow teal MPs (left to right) Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps, Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink, Zoe Daniel and Kate Chaney

Mr Jordan told Daily Mail Australia in a statement he had made an error by taking the sign down.

I unreservedly apologise for removing the sign. It was a mistake, he said.

I believed the sign was illegally placed, but I should have reported my concerns to council.

Dr Ryan also issued a statement, offering her own apology.

I apologise for the removal of the sign. It should not have happened, she said.

All concerns around signage should be reported to Council.