Stood-aside education Minister Alan Tudge has decided not to return to the frontbench after he had an affair with his staffer Rachelle Miller.
The decision is supported by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Mr Morrison ordered an inquiry into Mr Tudge’s relationship with Ms Miller in December following serious allegations and received the final report on January 28.
Mr Tudge stood aside as Minister last year while the investigation, conducted by respected investigator Dr Vivienne Thom, was carried out to examine Mr Miller’s allegations of emotional and, in one instance, physical abuse.
“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,” Mr Morrison said.
He said the report would be released in full.
Mr Morrison said that Mr Tudge had informed him that he would not be seeking a return to the frontbench as education Minister.
“Today he has informed me that in the interests of his family and his own wellbeing 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,” he said.
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.
Both Mr Tudge and Ms Miller have admitted to an extramarital affair in 2017 but Mr Tudge has strongly denied any mistreatmentxjmtzyw.
Ms Miller declined to take part in the investigation, saying it was not truly independent.
