‘Dangerous’ Alan Tudge move splits Liberals

The Liberal Party is split over the future of stood-down education minister Alan Tudge, as Scott Morrison says he is taking the abuse allegations ‘extremely seriously’.

Liberal MP Alan Tudge. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Liberal Party is split over the future of stood-down education minister Alan Tudge, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is taking allegations that the Victorian MP emotionally and physically abused his former staffer “extremely seriously”.

Mr Morrison denied reports on Wednesday that a decision had been made over whether Mr Tudge would return as education minister. “The matter is in process and has not concluded,” he told parliament.

Mr Tudge was stood down late last year after his former media adviser Rachelle Miller alleged he had emotionally and, on one occasion, physically abused her during their consensual affair.

Mr Tudge denies the allegations.

Former Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Vivienne Thom was tasked with conducting an inquiry into the allegations, which Ms Miller refused to participate in because she saw it as a “rushed” process and “political fix”.

Prime Minister and Cabinet deputy secretary Stephanie Foster confirmed in senate estimates on Monday the report had been handed to the Prime Minister’s office, with Dr Thom’s inquiry costing the taxpayer about $40,000.

Network 10 reported this week that, while Dr Thom’s review did not support the allegations, it did note that Mr Tudge had sought to promote Ms Miller while they were in an undisclosed relationship. Ministerial standards state “ministers’ close relatives and partners are not to be appointed to positions in their ministerial or electorate offices, and must not be employed in the offices of other members of the Executive Government without the Prime Minister’s express approval”.

A spokeswoman for Malcolm Turnbull – who was prime minister at the time Mr Tudge and Ms Miller were in a relationship – said he did not have knowledge that Mr Tudge sought to promote Ms Miller. Mr Tudge in December admitted he had “sought to promote Ms Miller” but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Ms Miller was appointed to senior media adviser after she moved to the office of the then minister for jobs and innovation, Michaelia Cash.

Numerous Liberals told The Australian it would be untenable for Mr Tudge to return to the ministry, especially ahead of an election. “It (Tudge’s return) might not be in anyone’s interest,” one Liberal senator said.

However, equally as many said they would be “outraged” if Mr Tudge was stood down if Ms Miller’s allegations were found to be “baseless”. One said it would set a “dangerous precedent”.