‘Honourable and decent’: Dutton backs Tudge after abuse allegations

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has thrown his support behind colleague Alan Tudge, calling him an ‘honourable and decent man’ who shouldn’t lose his job over claims of an abusive relationship.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has thrown his support behind colleague Alan Tudge, calling him an “honourable and decent man” and arguing the MP shouldn’t lose his job over allegations of an abusive relationship.

In the latest of a string of incidents that have plagued federal parliament this week, the Education Minister agreed to stand aside pending the conclusion of an investigation into allegations of emotional and physical abuse made by a former staffer with whom he had a consensual relationship.

Rachelle Miller went public with the allegations of abuse during their affair on Thursday, which Mr Tudge has denied, and the investigation is now underway.

But speaking on The Today Show, Peter Dutton said while the affair between Tudge and Ms Miller was “obviously embarrassing” for the minister, Tudge had a “different version” of events compared with Ms Miller.

Stood aside.... Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“It‘s obviously embarrassing, but Alan Tudge has a very different version than what’s been provided by Ms Miller … there‘s a difference of opinion as to what has happened,” Mr Dutton said.

“Obviously Ms Miller‘s story has changed quite dramatically to what she gave to ’Four Corners’ only a couple of months ago.”

He added: “There are a lot of Australians who would find themselves in that position (of an affair), it‘s not unique to the parliament or to the Liberal Party or the Labor Party or the Greens … people make mistakes from time to time and he’s fessed up to that mistake and I think we allow the investigation now to be conducted.”

Mr Dutton said he didn’t want to see the MP lose his position in parliament.

“I‘ve always found Alan to be a very honourable and decent man. He’s had an extramarital affair, a consensual one. He’s made a mistake. It’s cost him his marriage. There’s a lot of embarrassment on both sides, I have no doubt,” he said.

“He‘s a great minister. He’s got a great mind, a great analytical mind and he’s been a very effective minister.”

Speaking of the Jenkins report, Mr Dutton thew his support behind solving “the problem” of parliament’s culture.

Claims... former staffer Rachelle Miller . Picture : NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I‘ve spoken to my staff … it would not be tolerated, I can tell you now, for one second in my office. Any staff, male staff member, who conducted themselves that way would be shown the door,” he said.

It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed he asked Mr Tudge to stand down while the issues are addressed through an “independent and fair” process.

“I have discussed Ms Miller’s statement with Mr Tudge, who refuted the allegations made,” Mr Morrison said.

“Given the seriousness of the claims made by Ms Miller, it’s important these matters be resolved fairly and expeditiously.

“To this end, the Minister has agreed to my request to stand aside while these issues are

addressed by my department, through an independent and fair process, to ensure that the matters that have been raised can be properly assessed and the views put by the respective parties in relation to these issues.”

At the start of Question Time on Thursday Mr Morrison announced his department would seek to use respected Canberra integrity and governance consultant Vivienne Thom to lead the “independent process” to address the issues raised by Ms Miller in regards to Mr Tudge.

“This will enable my department to provide me with any further advice regarding any implications for the ministerial standards,” Mr Morrison said.

“But I wish to stress that this action, in no way seeks to draw a conclusion on these matters.

“But this is the appropriate action for me to take under the ministerial standards.”

Mr Morrison said Mr Tudge had “welcomed this process” and “looked forward to participating”.

“I have also asked, as is occurring now, Mr Speaker, at the same time, for this advice to be provided directly to Ms Miller by my chief of staff.”

While Mr Tudge is standing down from cabinet and his ministerial roles, Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Minister Stuart Robert will take questions in relation to the Education and Youth portfolios.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has thrown his support behind colleague Alan Tudge. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Tudge on Thursday said he “complete and utterly” rejected Ms Miller’s accusations, saying he does not wish his former staffer “ill” but must “defend myself”.

“I have accepted responsibility for a consensual affair that should not have happened many years ago,” he said.

“But Ms Miller’s allegations are wrong, did not happen and are contradicted by her own written words to me.”

Mr Tudge said this “contradictory written evidence” would be referred to a full, independent review.

“I welcome such a process and will make available both myself and all materials, and co-operate in every way,” he said.

“I would note that a previous set of claims were also considered and rejected through an independent investigation.”

Mr Tudge confirmed that during this process he would stand aside as Minister for Education and Youth.

“Given the immense personal impact of such claims I will also now take a period of leave between now and Christmas,” he said.

Mr Tudge said both he and Ms Miller had acknowledged publicly they had a “consensual affair” in 2017.

“This is something that I regret deeply,” he said.

“We were both married at the time and it was wrong. It contributed to the end of my marriage that year.”

Mr Tudge said he worked “closely” with Ms Miller in 2017, which involved “constant travel, long hours and often we were under pressure”.

“We became attracted to each other and on a small number of occasions that attraction was acted upon,” he said.

“It should not have happened.”

Originally published as ‘Honourable and decent’: Dutton backs Tudge after abuse allegations