Corruption probe into Labor’s alleged branch stacking
Former Andrews government minister and ALP powerbroker Adem Somyurek will be grilled at public hearings into allegations of “serious corrupt conduct’’.
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Victoria’s peak anti-corruption body will grill former Andrews government minister and ALP powerbroker Adem Somyurek at public hearings into allegations of “serious corrupt conduct’’ next month.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) announced on Thursday it will begin its hearings on October 11 following a year-long investigation.
The body has already sent some notices to witnesses to attend the hearings, which will focus on allegations of corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers, including members of parliament, over the misuse of taxpayer money and branch stacking.
The Andrews’ government may be rocked by the hearings with several former and current MPs are believed to be on the witness list.
Premier Daniel Andrews sacked Mr Somyurek in June last year after the airing of a 60 Minutes report exposing Mr Somyurek’s alleged misuse of public funds.
The joint investigation by IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman has been dubbed Operation Watts.
An IBAC press release stated its probe had looked into a “range of matters’’ including allegations of ‘branch stacking’.
“The public hearings will examine allegations that Victorian public officers engaged in corrupt conduct by directing taxpayer-funded ministerial and electorate office staff to perform party-political work during times when those staff were being paid to perform ministerial or electorate work,’’ an IBAC press release said.
“They will also examine allegations that public money intended to fund community associations was misused for party‐political work or other improper purposes.’’
IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich AM, QC, said the Victorian community expected public funds to be used appropriately and for public officers to adhere to parliamentary standards and processes.
Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass said it was the first time the two integrity agencies had combined their resources and expertise in an investigation.
“This is a crucial investigation to allow for public confidence in how taxpayers’ money was being used by those in power,” Ms Glass said.
Commissioner Redlich will preside over the hearings and will be aided by Counsel Assisting Chris Carr SC.
The hearings will be publicly streamed via the IBAC website.
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