Alan Tudge remains as education minister after saying he would not return to the frontbench

Officials confirm Tudge remains minister on leave' despite acting minister Stuart Robert performing functions of the role

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Alan Tudge will stay officially as the education minister for an extra two and a half months despite claiming he would not return to the frontbench in March.

At Senate estimates on Friday, government officials confirmed that Tudge remains education minister and is on leave" despite the acting minister, Stuart Robert, performing the functions of the role.