Stood down Alan Tudge vows to fight abuse claims

Stood aside Education Minister Alan Tudge says his ex-staffer’s ‘own written words’ during their affair contradict her claims that he was abusive.

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

Alan Tudge says he will use an independent review to defend himself from allegations made by his former staffer Rachelle Miller that he was abusive during their affair and will take leave until Christmas.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, Mr Tudge said that Ms Miller’s “own written words” to him during their affair contradicted her claims that he was abusive.

He said this evidence would be referred to the review process announced in parliament by Scott Morrison.

“I completely and utterly reject Ms Miller’s accusations,” Mr Tudge said.

“Both of us have acknowledged publicly that we had a consensual affair in 2017. This is something that I regret deeply. We were both married at the time and it was wrong. It contributed to the end of my marriage that year.”

Mr Tudge said that they worked closely together in 2017 and that “we became attracted to each other and on a small number of occasions that attraction was acted upon.”

He said that Ms Miller was a good media adviser and that he sought to “get her promoted to the level she requested”.

“It was ultimately unsuccessful but when she moved to Michaelia Cash’s office in late 2017, she was promoted to the senior level,” he said.

“I have not seen Ms Miller since 2017.

“I have accepted responsibility for a consensual affair that should not have happened many years ago. But Ms Miller’s allegations are wrong, did not happen and are contradicted by her own written words to me.

“I regret having to say these things. I do not wish Ms Miller ill but I have to defend myself in light of these allegations, which I reject.

“The contradictory written evidence will 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.”

Mr Tudge said that, during the course of the investigation, 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.”

Miller airs abuse claims

Ms Miller returned to Parliament House - her former workplace on Thursday morning - where she said she was speaking out to reveal more details about the relationship she described as “abusive”. Mr Tudge - who was absent from question time on Thursday - said he “completely and utterly” rejected Ms Miller’s allegations.

Scott Morrison told parliament that an investigation by the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet would ensure that the allegations raised could be “properly assessed.”

Mr Morrison stressed that conclusions about the allegations could not be drawn from Mr Tudge standing aside. “I note that Minister Tudge has welcomed this process,” he said.

“He looks forward to participating in this process.”

Employment Minister Stuart Robert will step into Mr Tudge’s portfolio while the investigation is underway.

Former public servant Vivienne Thom will lead the investigation into Ms Miller’s allegations.

Ms Thom was previously the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security with oversight over six Australian intelligence agencies

Ms Miller first revealed she and Mr Tudge engaged in a consensual affair on the ABC’s Four Corners episode aired in November last year. On Thursday, she said the relationship was “defined by a significant power imbalance.”

“It was an emotionally, and on one occasion, physically abusive relationship,” Ms Miller said.

Federal cabinet minister Alan Tudge. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Ms Miller aired allegations of a drunken encounter between the pair on a work trip in Western Australia during the Turnbull government era.

“We drank a lot until very late. My mobile phone started ringing. I woke up in the pitch black dark and reached for my phone.” she said.

Ms Miller said at 4am in the morning she was woken by a call from a breakfast television producer about an interview with Mr Tudge.

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

“Then I felt someone kicking me on the side of my hip and leg as I tried to sit up in bed. It was the minister. He 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.”

Ms Miller said she did not remember a “single thing” from the night before or if the pair had engaged in sexual intercourse.

Harassment ‘entirely a men’s issue’

Her claims come just days after Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ damning investigation ­lifted a lid on the culture inside parliament, revealing that one third of staff surveyed had experienced sexual harassment and most felt powerless to complain.

Referencing Ms Jenkins’ report, Ms Miller said sexual harassment and abuse was “entirely a men’s issue”.

She also called on the government to adopt all recommendations from the landmark report.

“Specifically, the men in this building. The Liberal Party doesn’t have a women problem, it has a men problem,” she said.

“Labor have stayed quiet because they have just as many skeletons. The two major parties will work together when it comes to protecting each other.

“Unfortunately, it’s a sad reality that the perpetrators are the ones who must change the laws to make themselves accountable.”

In a statement, Mr Tudge said Ms Miller had engaged in a consensual affair in 2017 that the pair had publicly acknowledged.

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

A day after Ms Jenkins review was published, Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe came under fire for making a derogatory comment towards NSW Liberal senator Hollie Hughes that she has since apologised for.

On Thursday, Senator Thorpe apologised to Senator Hughes for the comments but rejected her interpretation that it was made in reference to her son who has autism. During a fiery debate in the Senate on Wednesday night, Senator Thorpe said to Senator Hughes “at least I keep my legs shut.”

The controversy came days after Liberal senator David Van apologised after he was accused of making animals noises towards independent senator Jacqui Lambie.