Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is refusing to deny kissing and groping Rachelle Miller without her consent when she was a junior staffer in questions that I put to him after the allegations were reported in a story on the True Crimes News Weekly website on Wednesday (4/5/22).
If true that is a criminal offence and another sexual assault that Scott Morrison and his government are trying to cover up.
Rachelle Miller did not participate in the Thom Inquiry because she did not think it was an independent and serious investigation and would not investigate allegations that “might amount to criminal conduct”. Rachelle Miller’s full letter outlining her reasons is below and is a fascinating read by itself given she was a government insider for many years, knows how the government works and didn’t hold back in the letter.
The ABC reported on the 17th of April 2022: “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.” (Click here to read more) But the article gave no more details than that.
True Crimes News Weekly’s article gave further details and reported that Rachelle Miller’s complaint also included allegations that Josh Frydenberg kissed and groped Rachelle Miller without her consent when she was a junior staffer which is something that would amount to criminal conduct if true. (Click here to read more)
As we have come to expect, Scott Morrison has stood by and supported Alan Tudge. But Alan Tudge, who should be campaigning for the election, has not been seen for weeks apparently and I think he is likely in the Liberal Party witness protection program to keep him away from the media so they don’t ask questions about Rachelle Miller and the $500,000 settlement.
As per the below Tweet I have also put questions to Josh Frydenberg, and he has not responded at this point in time. (Click here to see on Twitter) True Crimes News Weekly said they contacted all parties involved and asked them for comment but none replied.
I also published the same questions on Facebook (Click here to see) and Josh Frydenberg has also not responded there.
Crisis management 101 says that you go on the front foot fast and call a press conference immediately to deal with a crisis issue and that is what Josh Frydenberg should have done today. It looks like he will try the Christian Porter routine and hide for as long as possible and hope (call in favours) the old media might close shop and try to bury the story. I’m sure his mate Ryan Stokes at Seven West Media will help as will News Corp and others.
But the problem for Josh Frydenberg is that the story has already gained traction on social media today and will continue to grow at a rapid pace each day up until the election. So, Josh either calls a press conference by the end of Thursday (5/5/22) or tries to ride it out. But given Josh is in the fight of his life against independent Dr Monique Ryan to keep his Melbourne seat of Kooyong I think trying to ride it out will be fatal to his chances.
As far as Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party are concerned, they would probably prefer that Josh Frydenberg tries to ride it out as calling a press conference to deal with the issue could possibly damage the whole party so they are prepared to lose Josh to protect Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party.
Are the allegations true against Josh Frydenberg? I do not know, I wasn’t there. But one thing I have no doubt is that Rachelle Miller did make the complaint about Josh Frydenberg to the government, and they are trying to cover it up because you do not let something like that ride 16 days before an election if there was no complaint to the government. But of course, they can’t deny it if a complaint was made as there are too many witnesses as the complaint was lodged via a law firm and all of the parliament house staff would know by now.
