Former Andrews government minister Marlene Kairouz issues stinging criticism in valedictory speech
Former minister Marlene Kairouz has made stunning claims in her last speech in parliament and delivered a farewell whack to her political enemies.
Victoria
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Former Andrews government minister Marlene Kairouz has used her last speech in parliament to slam sections of her party, accusing a former federal MP of putting spies in her office.
Delivering her valedictory speech, Ms Kairouz attacked media reports into allegations she and powerbroker Adem Somyurek had engaged in industrial scale branch stacking.
She also criticised the state’s anti-corruption watchdog for its investigation into the saga and into alleged misuse of taxpayer funded staffers.
Ms Kairouz alleged recordings that embroiled her in the scandal were illegal and involved a person who had wanted to “blow up” the Labor Party.
“From now on, no one is safe,” she said.
Ms Kairouz accused federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne, who gave evidence in the IBAC probe, of planting spies in her office.
She criticised the current state of politics and the culture of secret recordings, encrypted apps and backroom deals.
“A politics unworthy of this grandest of grand buildings (parliament),” Ms Kairouz said.
Before finishing her address, the Kororoit MP said there was a Lebanese saying that could be described as a “thief thinks everyone is a thief”.
She said there were people in politics who had wanted to see bad behaviour in her actions because of their flaws.
Ms Kairouz also criticised candidates from her party, and others, who were parachuted in without being locals.
“I don’t believe you can best represent the electorate unless you live in the community,” she said.
“This is something I believe the Labor Party can do better on”
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Originally published as Former Andrews government minister Marlene Kairouz issues stinging criticism in valedictory speech
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