‘Cowards’: MP Alan Tudge turns on election sign vandals

Alan Tudge, whose former affair with a staffer was recently investigated, has called out vandals for defacing his election signs.

Alan Tudge has fired back after his election signs were vandalised throughout his Melbourne electorate.

The Education Minister, who is currently stood aside from the role, is running to be re-elected in the seat of Aston, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, at the upcoming federal election.

The Liberal Party has not lost Aston since 1990, and Mr Tudge has held the seat since 2010.

Mr Tudge was infamously accused by ex-staffer Rachelle Miller of being emotionally and physically abusive towards her during a consensual relationship they had in 2017.

He has strenuously denied the allegations.

Alan Tudge election signs have been vandalised right across his electorate. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

In the last week, the “scum”, “ICAC” (which stands for Independent Commission Against Corruption) and other words have been scrawled across Mr Tudge’s signs in his community. Some have had his face cut out or other marks drawn.

news.com.au does not suggest the statements are true.

The word “scum” was written on signs on Napoleon Road in Rowville in the middle of the day.

It appears he is being targeted over previous public allegations that he has denied. Picture: Twitter / @margaret_tmsinc

In a statement posted to his Facebook page on Sunday, Mr Tudge said the damage to his election signs were “the work of (his) opponents”.

“This is the work of my opponents and says more about them and what they represent than anything else,” he wrote.

“They should be on notice though: three have already been caught by police and will soon have criminal records. Thanks to those residents who recorded them.

“I won’t be deterred by these cowards. In fact they only encourage me and my team to work harder.”

Some signs have been taken down and replaced only to be vandalised again. Picture: Twitter / @MythicallyMad

Victoria Police could provide details of one incident involving an Alan Tudge sign to news.com.au, where a 52-year-old woman was charged.

Maroondah Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested the woman in Wantirna late Thursday night.

It is alleged she damaged a sign at a house on Amesbury Ave around 11.30pm.

A woman who lived in the house confronted her before allegedly being assaulted and receiving minor injuries.

The 52-year-old was charged with criminal damage, recklessly causing injury, trespass and bail offences.

Alan Tudge and Rachelle Miller in 2017. Picture: ABC/Four Corners

Ms Miller first went public with her story on ABC’s Four Corners in November 2020.

Mr Tudge apologised in a Facebook post to voters for the extramarital affair which he described as the biggest mistake of his life, and the reason for the end of his 20-year relationship with his ex-wife.

“To my community, the Knox locals who have repeatedly put their confidence in me as their representative, I have also let you down and I am sorry,” he wrote, adding that he hopes to regain their trust.

Late last year, Ms Miller expanded on her claims in a press conference at Parliament House, including that he had once kicked her out of bed – a claim Mr Tudge denied.

Ms Miller is set to secure a $500,000 payout. Picture: ABC

Mr Tudge was asked by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to stand aside from his ministerial role, pending an investigation into allegations of the abusive extramarital relationship.

On March 4, an investigation into the claims found insufficient evidence to sustain their validity. Ms Miller did not participate in that inquiry on legal advice.

It also said that Mr Tudge did not breach ministerial standards as the affair in 2017 predated Malcolm Turnbull’s ban on ministers having sexual relations with staff members.

As news.com.au revealed on April 11, a “private” taxpayer-funded payout of over $500,000 to Ms Miller is being negotiated by the Department of Finance.

Government sources have confirmed they will also pay Ms Miller’s legal fees on top of this amount, which is also expected to run into six figures.

Mr Morrison said despite this there was “nothing to prevent” Mr Tudge returning to cabinet.

He said Mr Tudge had decided to continue to stand aside due to health reasons but was “technically still part of the Cabinet”.