Scott Morrison says Australia’s education minister – who stepped aside over abuse allegations last year – will not return to the role before parliament resumes next week, despite a review into his conduct being due a week ago.
Speaking in Mulgrave, in the marginal Victorian seat of Chisholm, on Friday, Mr Morrison was grilled about the inquiry tasked with investigating Alan Tudge’s relationship with his former staffer Rachelle Miller.
The results were due to be finalised and handed to the Prime Minister’s department last Friday.
“When will the government respond to the allexjmtzywgations about Alan Tudge given they were due on January 28?” he was asked.
“We are working to this process is now,” he answered.
He was then asked if Mr Tudge would be reinstated as the education minister by the time parliament returned on Tuesday.
“We won’t have that resolved by the time,” he conceded.
Mr Tudge stood aside as minister last year after Mr Morrison ordered an inquiry be conducted by respected investigator Dr Vivienne Thom to examine allegations of emotional and physical abuse made by Mr Miller.
Both Mr Tudge and Ms Miller have admitted to an extramarital affair in 2017 but Mr Tudge has strongly denied any mistreatment.
Ms Miller accused the Prime Minister of trying to buy time just three days ago.
“The reason Scott Morrison called the Thom Inquiry: it looks like he is taking action, it gives them all an excuse to not answer questions and it buys time – the media has lost interest and moved on by the time the ‘independent’ report is delivered,” she tweeted on Tuesday.
Ms Miller declined to take part in the investigation, saying it was not truly independent.
In a lengthy statement released on Sunday she said that she did not agree with the terms of reference, which forbade the inquiry from investigating any allegations that could be deemed criminal.
“The government has not listened to the concerns I expressed and has refused to negotiate the terms of reference,” she said.
“The sanitisation of the inquiry in this way all but guarantees the government the positive view of history in relation to these events which suits its agenda, its view of the world and its immediate political interests.”
In December last year Mr Miller made allegations that Mr Tudge had been emotionally and, in one instance, physically abusive towards her.
While she maintained the relationship was consensual, she described it as complex and the result of intense power dynamics.
“I was completely under his control. He war-gamed lines with me, telling me to stay silent, telling me that we were in this together, that people were trying to destroy us, his career, my career,” she said.
“This relationship was defined by a significant power dynamics.”
Mr Tudge released a statement in response at the time saying he welcomed the inquiry.
“Ms Miller and I had a consensual affair in 2017 as both of us have publicly acknowledged. This is something I deeply regret,” he said.
“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.”
