By Parker McKenzie
The lawyer of Aston MP Alan Tudge’s former media manager, who recently received a $500,000 settlement from the Department of Finance, has asked the relevant departments and the Prime Minister are released from obligations of confidentiality.
Rachelle Miller is set to receive the settlement from the Department of Finance. Ms Miller has previously accused Mr Tudge of being both emotionally and physically abusive during their relationship, an allegation Mr Tudge has denied.
In a letter Ms Miller released on Twitter, her legal representative Peter Gordon said he had been instructed that she “irrevocably releases” the Commonwealth, relevant departments and the Prime Minister from “Any confidentiality in respect of her claim, any settlement of it including any financial terms.”
“Given the very public context of this dispute, and the misleading statements which have been made that Mr Tudge has been cleared of all wrongdoing, Ms Miller wishes to remove any impediment which prevents the Prime Minister from giving a full and truthful account of matters he now feels constrained to avoid answering on account of any legal obligation to Ms Miller.” Mr Gordon wrote.
Mr Tudge stepped away from his role as Minister of Education, however, Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently said he was still part of his ministry.
The $500,000 settlement plus legal costs was first reported by news.com.au.
Mr Tudge is the representative for the Aston electorate, which covers Ferntree Gully, Bayswater, Boronia and Knox, and is running for his fifth term in Parliament during the 2022 federal election.
