A Former Staffer Has Accused A Government Minister Of Emotional And Physical Abuse

Former press secretary Rachelle Miller has called out Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his government, accusing the Coalition of “briefing against [her]” after she came forward with allegations against Liberal frontbencher Alan Tudge.

— Content Warning: This article discusses allegations of abuse. — 

Miller admits to having an extramarital affair with Tudge — and has not alleged any sexual harassment — but made a formal complaint about his workplace behaviour back in 2020. A complaint that fell on deaf ears, according to her. Tudge denies any allegation of bullying, but has acknowledged he regrets the affair.

She has shared multiple accounts in which the relationship was allegedly abusive, including one incident where she was awoken by a phone call at 4am from a television producer who wanted to get Tudge in for an interview.

“I started to talk to her to arrange a time, but I was still half asleep. Then I felt someone kicking the side of my hip and leg as I tried to sit up in the bed,” Miller said in her statement. “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.”

“I could not remember a single thing from the night before. I don’t remember how we ended up in his room. I don’t remember leaving the bar. I don’t remember if we had sex. I didn’t know if we used protection. I still don’t. I was too afraid to ask him if he remembered,” she added.

Other allegations include instances of Tudge allegedly humiliating Miller in front of co-workers at an airport, leaving her in tears.

Following the release of the damning Jenkins report, which illustrated how common sexual harassment, assault and bullying complaints are within the walls of Australian Parliament, Miller has come forward to demand action from the Prime Minister on her complaint.

“Today I stand in my former workplace to say, again, that what happened to me in this place was not OK,” her statement to Parliament House reads. “I call on every woman in this building to stand with me, but I know that many are scared about their jobs, their livelihoods, the careers they’ve worked so hard for.”

In a press conference delivered at her former workplace, Miller thanked the likes of Brittany Higgins and other women who had the strength to speak publicly.

“When I spoke out more than a year ago on Four Corners, I wanted to spark a debate, but I was too unwell to continue to publicly advocate. I needed others to tell their stories, to build a momentum,’’ she said. “Others did, Brittany Higgins told her experience with sheer bravery. So did Kate Johnson, Chelsey Potter, Josie Coles, Emma Husar, Catherine Marriott, others I cannot name, but thank you.”

Miller claims that all she ever wanted from speaking out was for the Morrison Government to actually acknowledge her alleged experience, but unfortunately, this never happened. “All we ever wanted was for the Government to listen and acknowledge our experiences,” she said. “Yet when I spoke out, not a single person from the Liberal Party contacted me to see if I was OK.”

Miller Says She’s Been Ignored

While Morrison has repeatedly claimed he is willing — and wanting — to hear from women who allege they were mistreated in Parliament, Miller says she has been ignored.

“I have reached out on many occasions to speak to the PM and others,’’ she said. “This is entirely a men’s issue, and specifically, the men in this building. The Liberal Party doesn’t have a women problem, it has a men problem.”

Throughout her powerful speech, she alleges that while she initially consented to the relationship, there was a “significant power imbalance” that defined the relationship, made worse by the PM’s men “briefing against” her to the media.

“This relationship was defined by a significant power imbalance, it was an emotionally, and on one occasion, physically, abusive relationship,” she said.

Miller clarified that she isn’t seeking revenge, but simply wants to make sure no other women have the same experience in Parliament — noting that she lost her career, while the man she alleges bullied her got promoted multiple times.

“This is not about revenge. It has never been about that. I still sometimes feel sorry for him,’’ she said. “It’s about ensuring that no one else goes through this in this workplace. Its about changing a system that allowed this to happen.

“Instead, Minister Tudge has been promoted, multiple times. I lost my career and so much more. All we ask for is a safe workplace.”

In conclusion, she called upon both the Prime Minister — and voters — to hold Tudge accountable for his alleged behaviour. “I look forward to the people of Aston holding Minister Tudge accountable at the election. Remember this when you vote,’’ she said. “Or perhaps the Prime Minister might show some leadership before that. For it’s his job to hold his Ministers to account for their unacceptable behaviour.”

Alan Tudge Denies The Claims

Tudge has released a statement on Thursday morning rejecting Miller’s account.

“I completely and utterly reject Ms Miller’s version of events. 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.

Miller’s powerful speech comes just days after the Jenkins report revealed that as many as 63 percent of female parliamentarians allege they have been sexually harassed at some point during their career in public office.

Following the release of the report, Morrison stated that “these are problems we all own, and they’re problems we all have a responsibility to fix,” but we are yet to see any real action from him, or his government.