Earlier today the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet provided me with advice following the process undertaken in relation to Dr Vivienne Thom’s report into serious allegations made by Ms Rachelle Miller regarding the then Minister for Human Services, Alan Tudge. These allegations related to events in 2017.
This process started in December last year, at my instruction, after serious allegations were raised by Ms Miller that required a fair, independent and vigorous investigation by a qualified and independent person.
Dr Vivienne Thom AM was appointed by my Department, following their recommendation. Dr Thom is an eminent and respected former public servant with more than thirty years of experience as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, ombudsman and a statutory officer.
Ms Miller and Minister Tudge were invited to take part in this process by Dr Thom and the investigation was aimed at properly assessing views by a number of parties in relation to these issues. Ultimately, Ms Miller chose not to participate in the inquiry but the inquiry was able to draw on her public statements.
Dr Thom and the Department have sought to engage Ms Miller throughout this process through her nominated representative.
Dr Thom found that ‘the evidence considered in this Inquiry does not provide a basis for a finding that Mr Tudge’s conduct breached the Ministerial Standards’. I have accepted her advice.
Ms Miller and Minister Tudge have been provided with a full copy of this report.
In December, Minister Tudge agreed to my request to stand aside from the Ministry, while these allegations were examined. Today he has informed me that in the interests of his family and his own well-being and in order to focus on his re-election as the Member for Aston he is not seeking to return to the frontbench, and I support his decision.
Minister Stuart Robert will continue in his role as Acting Minister for Education and Youth and Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business.
The report by Dr Thom will be released in full today on my Department’s website, with minor redactions made to de-identify individuals.
These matters are deeply distressing both for Ms Miller and Mr Tudge, and the families who are affected by these events, and I know today will be a difficult day for them.
Support will continue to be available to Ms Miller, Mr Tudge and any current or former staff impacted by this report, should they seek it, through our Parliamentary Workplace Support Service or the Parliamentary Support Line.
