Somyurek corruption hearings underway soon

Victoria’s corruption watchdog will shine a spotlight on branch-stacking allegations centred on sacked state Labor minister Adem Somyurek, as public hearings begin in less than a fortnight.

IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman have been jointly investigating after Mr Somyurek was last year accused of handing over cash and using parliamentary employees to create fake branch members and amass political influence.

Public hearings to begin on October 11 will examine allegations taxpayer-funded staff were directed to carry out party duties when being paid for ministerial or electorate work, and if public money intended to fund community associations was misused.

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich said the Victorian community expected public funds to be used appropriately and for all public office holders to follow parliamentary standards.

“The public hearings will also consider whether the current systems and controls are sufficient to protect the integrity of the expenditure of public funds for ministerial and electorate office staff and the making of community grants, and examine potential systemic issues,” he said.

In recordings aired on Nine’s 60 Minutes, the former Labor powerbroker was also caught using homophobic and misogynistic language about colleagues and staff.

Mr Somyurek quit the party before he was expelled but retained his upper house seat, while factional allies Robin Scott and Marlene Kairouz resigned from cabinet.

All three MPs deny the branch-stacking claims.

Branch stacking involves recruiting or signing up members for a local branch of a political party to influence the outcome of candidate preselections for parliament.

The scandal prompted reform of the Victorian branch of the Labor Party, including the expulsion of about 1800 members found to be “non-genuine” and the suspension of voting rights of all other members until 2023.

Addressing the branch stacking allegations in parliament in December, Mr Somyurek said there was no way he could control two-thirds of the Victorian branch of the Labor party.

He and other current and former Andrews government MPs and staffers are likely to be called to give evidence before the inquiry.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he was not worried the party’s dirty laundry would be aired publicly ahead of next year’s state election.

“That is not of concern to me,” he told reporters on Thursday.

The public hearings will be live-streamed and cannot be attended in person due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Somyurek corruption hearings underway soon
Independent Information