One of the few survivors from the Saturday night massacre of Liberals in Victoria is also the least-deserving: Alan Tudge will hang on in Aston despite a swing of more than 7% against him — even bigger than the state-wide swing against his party.
Tudge spent the campaign in hiding, while his colleagues covered for him, pretending not to know about the compensation payout to his former staffer Rachelle Miller.
Miller’s allegations of assault against Tudge during their relationship remain unresolved, courtesy of Scott Morrison’s reluctance to institute a fully independent inquiry into the allegations (it should be noted that serious sexual harassment allegations against Barnaby Joyce also remain unresolved due to the lack of an independent investigation).
Tudge cannot credibly return to the frontbench in a Coalition opposition, and his lingering presence will be a permanent reminder of Scott Morrison’s extraordinary refusal to engage with gender equality and workplace safety issues. He is damaged goods, permanently.
He is also taking up very valuable and rare political real estate: a Liberal seat somewhere in the vague vicinity of Melbourne.
Meanwhile other, more worthy contributors to the Liberal cause go begging — in particular, Josh Frydenberg, who has gone from the next prime minister to out of politics in one night.
The Liberals need Frydenberg in Parliament. Tudge needs to give up his seat and let Frydenberg return to politics. Having vented their anger on Morrison, voters would readily elect Frydenberg in an Aston byelection. From there, he could join Peter Dutton’s frontbench, which is not exactly going to be brimming with talent, especially once Marise Payne bails out. It gives the Liberals a viable leadership option if Dutton is struggling.
Dutton may surprise as opposition leader — according to his spruikers, there’s a smiling pragmatic centrist hiding inside Dutton just waiting to spring out — but how many opposition leaders who came to the position straight after losing government have ever made it to the Lodge? Not Bill Shorten. Not Brendan Nelson. Not Kim Beazley. Not Andrew Peacock. Quite possibly, Frydenberg might be dodging a bullet by being knocked out of contention for the role of picking up the pieces after the Morrison disaster.
And, like it or not, the country needs Frydenberg in Parliament. Anything that adds competence and moderation to the opposition is good for the quality of politics in Australia. And on net terms, he’s dramatically better than Tudge.
If Tudge had any commitment to his party, and any skerrick of regard for the public interest, he’d graciously declare his time in politics is over and he’s happy to make way for a Liberal who will make a real contribution. It’ll be a win for everyone.
Two things here: first, Alan Tudge might have been politically of high profile but he is also politically of low character. Entitled, with a degree of arrogance that usually only the very smart can comfortably carry, Tudge in my view falls below that level of intelligence matched with charisma. On that basis it might be even more difficult to budge Tudge.
Secondly, I think that Frydenberg was basically out of his depth as Treasurer and despite being a reasonably decent bloke he would be perhaps even more out of his depth as leader, should Dutton falter.
No. While I know that we need a coherent and viable opposition in a democracy such as ours, the Liberals got what they richly deserved. Let them stew in their own bile, at least for now. They caused the problem, they can sort it out.
Why not Tudge as Opposition Leader? He was promised a comeback after the election – this could be his big chance.
I love the idea of Tudge as Opposition Leader. Slogan would be: “You’ve had the sludge, now try the Tudge”.
Or “Tudge – Balls deep in integrity”.
Yes indeed, we need him back and for him to be placed before Albo’s integrity Commission together with ScoMo
“because the Tudge won’t budge” and you can always rely on “the fudge from Tudge.”
Given that he was found NOT to have breached Ministerial standards..coff, coff and thus has a completely lily white unblemished record, he might be … adequate.
And the money was for ….?
…remaining shtumm.
Tosh Fraudenberg is greatly over estimated. He insulted us daily with his mendacity, sophistry and cant. Under that genial persona is a character almost as nasty as Scotty. Good riddance. A factor in his defeat were his attacks on Dan Andrews. Same applies to his attacks on the SA Premier after storms blew over transmission lines.
Agree Can’t count and somewhat stupid,and has no decency, lost $60 billion down the back of the couch, no claw back provisions of gift to donors on profitable job keeper payments.
…. but he will need to line up, what about Watergate and native grasslands which provided large amounts into tax havens for the former Energy Minister!
Thank you!!!! Can Angus Taylor please be the first to be investigated by a new national ICAC? and can there be a Teal candidate for his seat in 3 years? (He knifed his sponsor Malcolm Turnbull so he might throw some money into the campaign). Scott Morrison refused to censure him on anything (including Clover Moore disgrace) and he is buddies with Dutton so it will be galling seeing him given more seniority. May he rot in Opposition.
Taylor was Turnbull’s pick?
You’ve told me more about Malcolm Turnbull than I knew – and none of it enhances my opinion of Turnbull.
Agree. A very oily individual, with his whole effort put into LNP re-election (like Morrison). Good riddance
So true Tony!
I trust that Tudge will wither on the political vine to irrelevance?
Good riddance indeed to Frydenberg and let us all look forward to a refreshing change in political discourse that Dr Monique Ryan and her flock of teals will undoubtedly bring to our federal parliament.
That dressing down of Frydenberg by Weatherill still resonates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWucuGwOKXk
Thank you, Ian. It was great to hear Jay Weatherill again and to watch Frydenberg smirking beside him. I am not Victorian but I don’t want the former Treasurer back
Agreed, as a Port Adelaide boy, I was so proud of that stance. A real touch of class !
Thank you for the link 🙂 It was even better than I remembered 🙂
I found it hilarious that he tried to position himself as one of the Hard Men of the party.
could equally apply to JoFry.
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/232600.html
To update one of his other, many, aperçus “being nibbled to death by
ducksteals” when referring Tony Benn.Frydenberg has not faltered in supporting the Barnaby Joyce voting pattern on climate.
You might think Frydenberg is a reasonably decent bloke, but as the climate deteriorates as a consequence of Frydenberg and his craven ilk’s inaction, your children and grandchildren will form a different view.
Remember too that Frydenberg is an avowed fan of Maggie Thatcher and that B grade actor who played the role of US president, Ronald Reagan.
Australian’s should not forget the role of Tudge as Human Services Minister when Robodebt was unleashed on vulnerable Australian’s. David Hardaker reported in 2020 in his Crikey article “The Tudge Report: the decade long descent from Indigenous champ to infamous chump” describes how “the Robodebt horror show ran at full speed from 2015 to late 2019 as the government set computer data matching onto human lives at an industrial scale. Several leading Liberal figures oversaw the unfolding nastiness. They included Scott Morrison, Porter and Tudge, all of whom had a role in using the debt-recovery system as a means of repairing the budget”
Hear, hear. Frydenberg is no bargain – he may be marginally better than Tudge, but he’s not worth keeping, in my view.
“Dutton may surprise as opposition leader — according to his spruikers, there’s a smiling pragmatic centrist hiding inside Dutton just waiting to spring out…”
How would the public receive this transformation, if it manifests? He’s been in parliament since 2001 and in cabinet since 2013, so his current image and personality is certainly well established. If he suddenly turns around and says he was just kidding us all that time, he’s really a happy smiley teddy bear who simply wants everyone to get along together, how will the public react? Will it accept Dutton v.2.0 with open arms? Or will it reel back in confusion and disbelief, astounded at the new depths of dishonesty, deception and cynicism? I suspect the latter – whether they currently loathe or like Dutton, the idea he’s been hiding his true character all these years is not going to go down well.
So not a bulldozer then? That worked well for the previous leader.
Hooda thunk Spud was just a sheep in wolf’s clothing?
Drums of war Duddon will not survive until the next election.
Should rename Dutton’s seat from Dickson to Dixie.
I was reminded of my thoughts when Keating took over from Hawke. He too was a head-kicker, but at least he wasn’t a warmonger or snake oil salesman and had redeeming qualities such as a social conscience. He made a much better PM than I expected, but I can’t see any such redeeming qualities in Dutton.
Spud, the former Queensland copper from the 80s/90s. Enough said as to his character.
Correct!
Dutton as a copper reminds me of Glyn Nicholas as Sergeant ‘n Smith.
Looking up old clips from ‘The Big Gig’ – much more fun than caring about the Libs justifiably disintegrating.
Off to laugh at Sergeant Smith and Constable Constable.
Heavens! Dutton was too creepy for the Queensland Police Force, way back!
Yes, indeed or should we just ensure that we play Mark McGowan’s press conference a few more times, his view is that Dutton is a drop kick and there is not “much there”. He further notes with absolute clarity that he is an extremist not fit to be PM.
I personally would love to see Mark McGowan go Federal.
As usual Phil K from the AFR punted the idea that Spud was deeper than the general perception. I seriously doubt that claim.
This is the same Phil, who on Radio National loudly proclaimed that a focus group showed no evidence of climate change concern.
The size of the focus group? 6.
Nine and Murdoch need attention.
6? That’s 9 upside down.
Seeing Dutton try to smile is scarier than his normal face 🙂
We’ve been here before with Dutton. Shiralee was wheeled out last time he looked like being leader to tell us all her husband isn’t a monster, he’s lovely. I suspect we’re going to be hearing from and seeing a lot of Shiralee from now on. You’ll be waiting in the check out queue at the supermarket and she’ll be on the cover of all the women’s magazines, telling you how lovely Peter is for the next three bloody years. I wonder how many things Peter will tell women Shiralee clarified for him?
The Libs need new script writers.
I cannot understand your support for Josh Frydenberg to stay in politics. He may have a moderate view, but it’s never been on display and I am searching my mind for any grand policy ideas, inspiring speeches or actions that said ‘leadership’ and I can’t think of anything. I’m trying, but all I can recall is his glibness and desire for an easy ride. Maybe he needs to suffer for a while in all his white, male, privilege and head to NSW to live. Lyn
I agree, an entitled privileged person who damaged the economy and had no ethical courage to vote against the Right. It was always about Josh and always will be.
Yes his extremely long speech on Saturday night well before any “near” results. I had to turn off.
I was driving home on Saturday night listening to Frydenberg. Finally, the self-indulgent lack of awareness of the man is focussed where it should have been all along.
I saw someone make the observation that, during the “This is coal” stunt, JoFry was laughing it up with everyone else, so his credentials as a moderate are very shaky indeed, not to mention his intelligence.
He’s a spoilt rich boy who has always,’until now, got what he wanted. Might be character building for him. But it’s time for him to leave politics. Am sure a lucrative business career awaits. Maybe with a Jobkeeper recipient or two?
Why the love for Frydenberg?
He wasn’t, evidently, that popular in his own electorate.
And he would not be certain to win in a byelection if Tudge stepped down.
Definitely no guarantee he would win a byelection, in fact the backlash could be similar to that of Keneally being foisted upon Fowler.
Although, I wouldn’t mind if Tudge stepped down and then in the by-election, Frydenburg was beaten by another teal independent.
That would be a wonderful result but an electorate that has just re-elected the Todger tugger seems a lost cause.
Maybe a high profile candidate would do the trick? I suspect that Leigh Sales or Annabel Crabb, might be now wondering how they look in teal?
Could be wrong but I suspect that Sales would prefer blue.
Spot on, good riddance!
Bingo!
I am delighted to see the exit of Sales who I reported continually to the ABC for her disgraceful bias. Perhaps we can do a deal to have Speers leave as well. They are both Tory apologists!
I was thinking the same about Cook
Post Scummo, if they wanted a woman candidate to defend it, Noeline Baker might be suitable.
In any case, isn’t Josh Frydenberg destined to be the next premier of Victoria? I’m sure I read that somewhere.
That would go down like a lead balloon, surely..
Would there be space in the Vic Lib clown car for his swelled head?
He could try a Can’t Do Newman and lead the opposition without being an elected MLA.
Maybe ask Madonna King – inexplicably of this parish, too often – for her expertise in such extra mural parliamentarianism.
I agree. If there were to be a by-election to replace Tudge there is no guarantee that the electors would happily swing to Joshie or any other Lib. Many electors resent being dragged to the polls twice in a short timespan just because their chosen rep has decide to quit after he found himself on the losing side. The recent 7% swing against Tudge could increase.
I can;t see Tudge getting out of the nice warm bed he’s got for himself at present.
And his respect for femsle opponents and their elderly mum in laws is lacking, as is his sense of fair play. No thanks Bernard, the country can run quite well with that rabble of an opposition for as many electoral cycles as it takes, until they sort their political delinquency and start selecting decent candidates.
FICAC is going to further thin their ranks, and Josh will have his day in the dock.
It will take forever to pay back the sixty billion he frittered away while doing his Thatcher/Reagan impersonation.
Agree totally. Besides, in his initial ‘refusal to concede’ speech on election night, he still gave a call-out to the Guide Dogs for the the Blind CEO who endorsed him. If he still doesn’t get just how wrong that was, he should not be in parliament.
Tudge stepping down to give his seat to Frydenburg would be another example of a party central office believing it has the right and the power to dictate to its local branch and the constituency who will represent it. Just like Labor did with placing Kenneally in the very safe seat of Fowler, and Morrison with Hawke did with the whole of NSW. What could possibly go wrong?
move Josh around the country .. liquidating seats.. when will they realise he’s a hollow cause..