Rachelle Miller, who accused Alan Tudge of bullying during relationship, makes historical claim against another Liberal MP

The former government staffer who accused senior Liberal MP Alan Tudge of abusing her while in a consensual relationship, has alleged another Liberal politician sexually harassed her more than a decade ago. 

The ABC has confirmed Rachelle Miller made the new allegations in a workplace claim, as first reported by the Saturday Paper, with a negotiated settlement expected to be more than $500,000.

The claim comes after she made allegations against her former boss Mr Tudge, of being emotionally and, on one occasion, physically abusive to her while they were involved in a consensual affair in 2017.

In the claim, which the ABC hasn’t seen, Ms Miller described a series of alleged incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination while she worked as an adviser for the Coalition.  

When asked about the new allegations, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the process was confidential. 

“My simple point is this, that this process is a confidential process, which has been put in place by the Department of Finance,” Mr Morrison said.

“I think that’s the way those matters should be handled and I intended to honour the process that has been established independently by public officials about how sensitive matters of this nature should be handled.” 

Mr Morrison also said he has not been made aware of the details of the new allegations. 

“If there were any matter, that was in the assessment by the Department of Finance, that involved the conduct of any minister whatsoever in the granting of that payment, then that matter would have to be raised with me, by Department of Finance,” he said.

“Now, I can assure you absolutely that no such reference has been made to me.”

Marises Payne would not say if she thought it should be made public, given it involves taxpayer money. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)

Minister for Women Marise Payne also said she was not aware of the details of the claim. 

“I have no awareness of the details of these matters and it’s not appropriate for me to have that awareness,” she said. 

“It is a matter that is handled between individuals and under the department itself. It’s not something that involves ministers at all.”

Ms Payne would not say if she thought it should be made public, given it involves taxpayer money. 

“I think that the process that is that exists in terms of the ComCare process is about enabling applicants, in this case, Ms Miller, to seek support from the system if they feel that they have been treated inappropriately,” she said.

“There are a number of abstractions around that, both legal and professional, it is not something that I have been involved with in this particular case, at all.”

Posted 17 Apr 202217 Apr 2022Sun 17 Apr 2022 at 6:12am, updated 17 Apr 202217 Apr 2022Sun 17 Apr 2022 at 9:05pm