How can Tudge be both in the ministry and out of it?
Political reporter Jane Norman has been mulling over the Prime Minister’s comments on Alan Tudge. Here’s her analysis of the situation.
It’s day one of the election campaign and we’ve got a cabinet conundrum; how can Alan Tudge both be in the ministry and out of it?
Tudge was banished to the backbench in December when his former staffer, Rachelle Miller, went public with allegations that their affair had turned abusive — allegations he denies.
Months later, an investigation cleared him of breaching ministerial standards but rather than resuming his role as education minister, Tudge “requested” that he not be returned to the front bench before the election.
It appeared to be a resignation.
Given the proximity to the poll, and the scandal surrounding the Member for Aston, it was very convenient for the Prime Minister who obligingly accepted Tudge’s request.
“He is not seeking to return to the front bench, and I support his decision,” Morrison said on March 4.
Tudge remains on the sidelines; he is not receiving a ministerial salary and his colleague, Stuart Robert, is currently acting in the role.
So you can understand the confusion then when Morrison asserted on Sunday that Tudge was still technically in cabinet.
“Alan has stood aside,” Mr Morrison said.
“He stood aside for his own health and family reasons. And when he is ready to return to the cabinet then he will.”
Morrison’s relying on a technicality — that Tudge was sworn in as education minister in 2020 and still has his warrant, or letter of assignment, from the Governor-General.
When Tudge “stood aside”, it was seen by some of his colleagues as tidy solution. After all, Tudge is a political niggle for the PM, he reminds voters of the Coalition’s perceived “woman problem”.
So why has the PM left the door open for him to return? According to the ministerial guidelines, he did nothing wrong.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce all but confirmed this when asked about Tudge’s status today.
“No findings that requires Mr Tudge to be removed have been made,” he told reporters
Vivienne Thom’s report found “insufficient evidence” that Tudge had breached the standards expected of ministers but clearly a calculation was made that his reinstatement to cabinet would be a political liability this side of an election.
On the other side, it is highly likely Tudge will return and resume his role as education minister, should the Coalition pull off a come-from-behind victory.