Former staffer Rachelle Miller alleges affair with Alan Tudge was abusive

Education and Youth Minister Alan Tudge has agreed to stand aside until an investigation into allegations of emotional and physical abuse made by a former staffer with whom he had a consensual relationship.

Education and Youth Minister Alan Tudge has agreed to stand aside until an investigation into allegations of emotional and physical abuse made by a former staffer with whom he had a consensual relationship.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed he asked Mr Tudge — who has denied the claims made by his former media adviser Rachelle Miller on Thursday — 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.”

FORMER STAFFER ALLEGED AFFAIR WITH TUDGE WAS ABUSIVE

A former Liberal staffer has alleged her past affair with federal minister Alan Tudge was emotionally, and on one occasion, physically abusive in a series of claims he has completely rejected.

In the wake of a review into parliamentary workplace culture, former media advisor Rachelle Miller has addressed media in Parliament House on Thursday saying she wanted share more of her story.

“I am fully aware that a year ago I said my relationship with Minister Alan Tudge was a consensual relationship, but it’s more complicated than that,” she said.

Rachelle Miller holds a press conference at Parliament House, Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I was so ashamed, so humiliated, so scared, so exhausted. I told the small part of my story I was able to manage.”

Ms Miller claimed there were times the relationship was “kind” and the pair did “amazing work” together, but others when she suffered “bullying, intimidation and harassment.”

Ms Miller said she wanted to tell more of her story, which was first made public in an ABC Four Corners program in 2020, because she wanted political leaders to implement all recommendations from Sex Discrimmination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ review.

Mr Tudge on Thursday denied all accusations levelled at him by Ms Miller and dismissed her description of their relationship and surrounding events.

“I completely and utterly reject Ms Miller’s version of events,” he said.

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

“Ms Miller and I had a consensual affair in 2017 as both of us have publicly acknowledged. This is something I deeply regret.”

Before fronting the media, Ms Miller issued a statement with details of an alleged incident where she and Mr Tudge were in Kalgoorlie for an announcement and ended up at the hotel bar for a drink at the end of the day.

She said she was later woken at 4am by a phone call from a television producer wanting to get the minister for an interview.

“I started to talk to her to arrange a time, but I was still half asleep.

“(The Minister) was furious, telling me to ‘get the fuck out of his bed’. I quickly told the producer I would call her back. I then realised I was completely naked.”

Rachelle Miller at Parliament House, Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Speaking on Thursday morning after releasing the statement, Ms Miller alleged Mr Tudge “created a bubble of isolation” around her that took her away from family and friends, making her think he was the only person she could trust.

“I was completely under his control,” she said.

“He war-gamed lines with me, telling me to stay silent, that we were in this together, people were trying to destroy us, his career, my career.”

Ms Miller said she was “breaking down in tears regularly” and “wanted to complain” but knew there was “no one” to offer her support.

“He shifted from showering with me with praise, ‘can’t live without you, I need you, please don’t leave me, this doesn’t mean you have to lose your job’,” she said.

“To belittling and criticising me in front of other staff, in front of community members on electorate tours and in front of other passengers on planes.”