‘Not taken this decision lightly’: Alan Tudge announces his resignation as the Member for Aston in House of Representatives

The Liberal Party’s Alan Tudge will leave Parliament next week after officially announcing his resignation as the Member for Aston in Melbourne’s outer east. 

Mr Tudge told the House of Representatives on Thursday he first flagged his intention to quit with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in early January.

He said the death of his father cemented his decision to leave politics.

“It’s not been an easy decision for me but it is necessary for my health and for my family, amongst other reasons. I certainly have not taken this decision lightly,” Mr Tudge said.

He said he wanted to spend more time with his family, as he revealed his children had received death threats while he has been in Parliament.  

“My daughters, who are 18 and 16, know nothing other than their dad being away,” Mr Tudge said. 

“They’ve had to put up with things that no teenager should have to, including death threats. The most recent of which was last week.

“My son is a bit younger but I equally want to be a good father to him.”

Mr Tudge first entered Federal Parliament in 2010 and was most recently the shadow minister for education.

He previously held roles including minister for education, minister for human services and minister for citizenship and multicultural affairs. 

“While this profession can be unforgiving at times, serving as a member of Parliament, though, has been one of the greatest honours my life,” he said. 

“As a local member I’ve had opportunities to work with thousands of individuals and groups to advance our community.” 

Mr Tudge has been embroiled in numerous controversies in recent years, with him facing a grilling at the robodebt inquiry just last week.

The 51-year-old was also accused by former staffer Rachelle Miller of being emotionally, and on one occasion, physically abusive.

He stepped aside from his education portfolio in 2021 amid an investigation into the allegations by Ms Miller.

The inquiry found he had not breached ministerial standards. Mr Tudge has strenuously denied the allegations.

Ms Miller was watching on in the House of Representatives as Mr Tudge delivered his resignation. 

A date for the by-election in Aston – which the Liberals hold on a margin of 2.8 per cent – has not yet been decided.

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg was initially speculated as a potential replacement for Mr Tudge but it’s understood he has since been ruled out as the Liberal candidate for the seat.

“I leave honoured to have served and proud of what we have achieved, both for the people of Aston and across Australia, but particularly for Indigenous Australia,” Mr Tudge said.

“There is always much more work to do and there are always new faces in this place, but I believe that the Liberal Party is well served by the emerging talent in Aston.

“And it is time to pass the button to someone who can hopefully serve our local community better than anyone before them. It truly has been an honour and a privilege to be in this place.”

Mr Tudge said he spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier on Thursday to inform him he would be announcing his resignation in Parliament. 

“Serving in this house is an incredible honour for all of us, and it is a difficult day and a difficult decision for the Member for Aston to come to,” Mr Albanese said. 

“We had a good discussion this morning, not the least of which is about the conscripts, our children in particular and about how difficult it is sometimes for our children.

“Who are sometimes exposed to what should never occur, particularly at a time when people can make anonymous comments through social media and through other divisive forms.

“I thank him for his service in this house. I thank him for the sacrifices that are made to serve in this house, and I, on behalf of the government, say that I respect the decision that he has made, and I respect the manner in which it has been made.”

Liberal leader Peter Dutton said Mr Tudge “is a person of great integrity” and possesses “a huge intellect”.    

“He bought a very significant career and the experiences over the course of working with Brendan Nelson, with Alexander Downer, with Noel Pearson, others within the private sector that came to bear around our Cabinet table,” he said.