Australia: Education Minister suspended on suspicion of harassment

Sydney | Alan Dudge, Australia’s Minister of Education and Youth Affairs, has been suspended from work pending an investigation into alleged harassment by a former employee, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday.

Former public servant Rachel Miller on Thursday accused Mr Dudge of harassment and physical assault during an affair they maintained in 2017.

Ms Miller, who revealed the matter last year, told reporters that she had “experienced an abusive relationship, emotionally and, on one occasion, physically.” In particular, he said Mr. Dudge kicked himself during an argument.

In a statement, the minister denied the allegations “absolutely”.

Ms. Hours after Miller’s remarks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an “independent and fair” hearing in parliament.

The case comes just days after the Australian Parliament’s ‘sexual culture’ inquiry was launched into allegations that more than half of assembly workers have been subjected to harassment or sexual harassment or sexual harassment while on duty.

In 2019, a parliamentary aide accused an Australian minister of raping himself in his office, sparking waves of outrage and protests across the country. The case is currently being heard in the courts.