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Victorian Labor Party in turmoil amid corruption scandal

Author
Newstalk ZB / news.com.au,
Publish Date
Wed, 17 Jun 2020, 1:09PM
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews. Photo / Getty Images
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews. Photo / Getty Images

Victorian Labor Party in turmoil amid corruption scandal

Author
Newstalk ZB / news.com.au,
Publish Date
Wed, 17 Jun 2020, 1:09PM

Daniel Andrews’ government is in turmoil in the wake of a corruption scandal that has already claimed two senior scalps, with more likely to come.

Victoria’s Assistant Treasurer Robin Scott quit cabinet hours after Mr Andrews referred Labor powerbroker Adem Somyurek to the state’s police and anti-corruption commission after sacking the minister over explosive corruption allegations.

Mr Scott released a statement on Monday night to say he found “recent reporting of matters relating to the administration of the party especially confronting” and was looking forward “to the opportunity to clear my name”.

The branch-stacking allegations were aired on Sunday night after a year-long investigation by The Age and 60 Minutes.

Investigative journalist Nick McKenzie told Nine on Monday afternoon that “more evidence, more recordings” would be released within hours relating to Mr Scott and fellow frontbencher Marlene Kairouz.

Ms Kairouz heads the portfolios of consumer affairs, gaming and liquor regulation and suburban development.

It has been alleged staff members of Mr Scott and Ms Kairouz were involved in Mr Somyurek’s efforts.

Mr Scott said he had told Mr Andrews that he would stand aside from his ministerial responsibilities, as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Veterans, and had notified Governor Linda Dessau “of the resignation of my commission, effectively immediately”.

News.com.au understands Mr Scott’s alleged conduct has also been referred to the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission.

Parliament is sitting from Tuesday through to Thursday this week in Victoria.

Speaking at a media conference this morning, Mr Andrews said he had written to the national executive of the ALP to seek Mr Somyurek’s termination from the party, and that he no longer considered him part of the Victorian Labor Party, “my team, my caucus, my Government”.

Mr Somyurek later resigned from the Victorian branch of the ALP, and the federal executive moved to ensure he can never rejoin.

The Premier said today Mr Somyurek had been sacked, effective immediately following allegations he described a female minister as a “stupid b**h” and a “moll.”

“Just after 9am this morning I met with Adem Somyurek and I informed him that I would be writing to the governor to terminate his commission as a minister to essentially sack him from my ministry,’’ Mr Andrews said.

“Mr Somyurek was not offered an opportunity to resign.

“He is not worthy of an opportunity to resign. He was sacked. And that is the fact of the matter. Any statements to the contrary are simply false.”

Mr Andrews said comments made by Mr Somyurek about MP Gabrielle Williams “were simply unacceptable, wicked comments and I simply will not tolerate those sorts of comments or attitudes from any member of my team”.

The secret recordings broadcast last night include threats to the career of Ms Williams.

“I will f***ing force her out of the ministry, that f***ing stupid b**ch, when Andrews goes … She’s a stupid, stupid moll,” he says. “I’m going to f***ing knock her f***ing head off. She’s a f***ing psycho bitch.”

At another point Mr Somyurek was heard describing Young Labor members as “little passive aggressive f***ing gay kids.”

Mr Somyurek this morning quit the Victorian Labor Party.

In a statement, he rejected the allegations of wrongdoing “around memberships” but acknowledged he was caught speaking in a way that was highly inappropriate.

“It follows the publication of numerous personal and private conversations between myself and a long-term friend and factional ally of mine,” Mr Somyurek said in his statement.

“It is clear that I was taped and surveilled in a federal electorate office without my knowledge and that this material was published without my knowledge of its existence or my consent.

“I will be taking steps to seek a police investigation into these matters.

“With respect to allegations made around memberships of the party, I reject those and will be providing a rigorous defence during any party process.”

Mr Somyurek said his resignation was specifically over the language he was recorded using against Ms Williams, and how he described Labor staffers. He has denied allegations of branch stacking.

Mr Andrews dismissed Mr Somyurek’s statement, repeating that the MP had been sacked, and also confirmed he had referred the matter to the IBAC.

“I have also instructed – asked – the Attorney-General to refer all of these matters as canvassed last night on the television and in various newspaper reports today to both Victoria Police and to IBAC and the Attorney-General has written in those terms and those referrals have been made,’’ he said.

“What Mr Somyurek said, what Mr Somyurek has done – so his conduct and his comments – are completely deplorable, they are shameful, and it is on that basis that there is no place in my Government for him.

“There is no place in my team for him. That is what I informed him this morning. I want to be very clear with each and every one of you and through you Victorians, Mr Somyurek was not offered an opportunity to resign. He is not worthy of an opportunity to resign. He was sacked. And that is the fact of the matter.”

Ms Williams on Monday said she was grateful for Mr Andrews’ actions this morning and the support she had received from the community overnight.

“Words matter,” the Minister for Women, Prevention of Family Violence and Aboriginal Affairs said in a statement.

“Violent, misogynistic language perpetuates the attitudes and behaviours that enable a culture of violence against women.”

Ms Williams said such language is “unacceptable”, no matter the environment, and “must be called out”.

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