THE SQUIZ
Victorian Liberal MP Alan Tudge has announced his exit from federal politics and says he’ll leave the parliament next week. The former Human Services/Education minister said Coalition leader Peter Dutton’s been in the know since last month when his decision to spend more time with family “was cemented” by his father’s death. “It’s not been an easy decision for me, but it is necessary for my health and family, amongst other reasons,” he said, noting that he has received death threats during his political career, including as recently as last week.

WHY IS HIS DEPARTURE SO NOTABLE?
It’s a good question because it’s not like he’s currently on the government’s frontbench wielding any power – but he was until May last year, and it’s in that capacity that he’s still a relevant figure. First and foremost, the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme is ongoing, and Tudge was the minister during its largest ramp-up in late 2016 and into 2017. He was before the Commission last week and said he did not ask for or receive advice about the scheme’s legality – or lack thereof… A final report on that is expected on 18 April, so he won’t disappear from public view anytime soon. And Tudge is notable because in 2020, his former press secretary Rachelle Miller claimed he physically and emotionally abused her while they were in a relationship. Last year, she reached a $650,000 settlement with the Commonwealth, but Tudge maintains her claims are untrue.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Tudge’s resignation means there will be a by-election for the 110,000 voters in his seat of Aston, which takes in several of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The seat has been in Liberal hands since 1990, but after the 11.64% swing against Tudge in May last year following all of his troubles and voters’ allergic reaction to the Morrison Government in general, the pundits say it will be hard for the Liberals to hold. As for who the candidates will be, insert shrugging lady emoji… There was a rush of speculation yesterday that former Liberal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg could be tapped for a run, but reports say he’s ruled that out. Who would have thought a good job in investment banking was a more appealing way to spend time than slogging it out in opposition…