Rachelle Miller says Liberals and Labor are both not taking responsibility after $650,000 settlement

The former Coalition government staffer Rachelle Miller has criticised Labor and Liberal politicians for avoiding answering questions about the $650,000 payment she received for hurt and distress suffered while working in parliament, claiming both sides of politics were ducking responsibility.

Miller, who worked for Tudge and Cash between 2016 and 2018, filed a complaint with the Department of Finance alleging bullying, harassment and discrimination at work.

Tudge and Miller engaged in an affair for part of the time they worked together. He stood down from the ministry in December 2021, when he was education minister, after Miller alleged he had been emotionally and on one occasion physically abusive to her. Tudge strenuously denied those allegations.

A spokesperson for Cash noted the payment was signed off in July, under the Albanese government, following the May election. Miller said the agreement was finalised in March, under the former Coalition government.

Miller was critical of both major parties for declining to comment. She noted she had sought to release the commonwealth from confidentiality considerations around commenting on her case and said neither government had asked her for more details.