Embattled coalition MP Alan Tudge has broken his silence about a payout made to one of his former staffers.
Mr Tudge has been largely absent on the election campaign trail, after his former staffer Rachelle Miller received a $500,000 taxpayer-funded settlement.
The payment was made after Ms Miller alleged the MP was emotionally and, at one point, physically abusive towards her while their pair were in a consensual relationship.
Mr Tudge has strenuously denied the allegations, with a report into the allegations finding there was insufficient evidence he had breached ministerial standards.
However, Mr Tudge has since gone to ground during the election campaign, making no public campaign appearances.
However, he gave brief comments to Sky News while campaigning outside a pre-poll location in Victoria, indicating he had no knowledge of the details surrounding the settlement to Ms Miller.
“I’m not aware of any of those things. I have no information. I haven’t been called as a witness,” he said.
“I haven’t been asked to provide evidence and, as the prime minister said, if it involved me he would have been made aware and hasn’t been made aware.”
He said the issue was a matter for the Department of Finance.
Mr Tudge also denied reports he asked Ms Miller to keep quiet while at a formal security review.
He stated he just asked Ms Miller to “tell the truth”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has consistently fended off questions about the future of Mr Tudge on the frontbench, should the coalition be re-elected at the May 21 poll.
While Mr Tudge was stood down from his role as education minister after the allegations came to light, Mr Morrison said he was welcome to return to the frontbench, should he wish to do so.
“I stood down from being education minister some months ago now for family, for health reasons and (to) concentrate on my electorate and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing,” he said.
“The prime minister has made clear that should we be re-elected and I’m in a position to step back up, then I’ll do so.”
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