MPs spooked by political hit on Labor powerbroker Adem Somyurek
The secret recordings that toppled Labor warlord Adem Somyurek and ended three ministerial careers in Victoria have sent shockwaves through the Labor party. Now Labor MP Anthony Byrne, whose office was bugged, is offering full assistance to the investigation.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The federal Labor MP whose office was bugged in a political hit on Labor powerbroker Adem Somyurek has offered his full assistance to anti-corruption authorities.
But Anthony Byrne, the ranking Labor member on the parliamentary intelligence committee, is refusing to say whether he agreed to help authorities before or after Sunday night’s explosive 60 Minutes program.
“In respect of the misinformation circulating, I want to make clear that I take the matters raised recently seriously and have been in touch with authorities to offer my full assistance,” Mr Byrne told the Herald Sun in a statement.
“I welcome investigations into corruption, which has no place in the party I love.”
“Because I do not want to cross over or impede any investigations that may be occurring, I’m unable to comment further at this point in time.”
The Herald Sun revealed today that momentum was growing for an investigation into the source of the covert recordings, used in the audacious political hit on fallen Labor warlord Adem Somyurek which has ended three ministerial careers.
Bugs planted in the office of federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne have sparked national security concerns among senior federal Liberal MPs, a Somyurek supporter and the State Opposition.
Mr Byrne — once one of Mr Somyurek’s strongest allies — is a long-serving member of the parliamentary intelligence and security committee with close ties to the intelligence community.
The audio and video recordings exposed Mr Somyurek’s branch-stacking operation, the alleged forgery of party membership forms and his verbal attacks on Labor colleagues.
The sting, aired on Sunday’s 60 Minutes program, involved Mr Somyurek being recorded in the office of Mr Byrne’s staffer Alex Stalder, who has refused to answer questions.
Sources close to Mr Somyurek say he thinks she was responsible for recording him, as Labor figures speculate about whether the bugging operation was approved by Mr Byrne.
Mr Byrne declined to comment on Tuesday, saying he’d leave the matter to Victoria Police and the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, which were asked to investigate the scandal by Premier Daniel Andrews.
Three Victorian Labor ministers have resigned off the back of shocking allegations of branch stacking and threats against other MPs were uncovered.
Asked if law enforcement agencies or one of his staffers were involved in the sting, Mr Byrne said: “I have answered your question.”
Sources close to Mr Byrne suggested the recordings were part of an existing law enforcement investigation. IBAC declined to comment on when it knew of the recordings.
Mr Andrews said he did not believe IBAC had been investigating Labor branch-stacking before the 60 Minutes story, saying the watchdog was “not in the habit of telling anyone … the work that they’re doing”.
Amid speculation in Labor circles about who orchestrated the political hit, party powerbroker Stephen Conroy said recording conversations was “not a crime”. “It’s a bit of a distraction by those who have been caught out,” he said.
It is legal in Victoria for a person to record a conversation if they are a party to that conversation, while publication is only legal with the consent of all parties or if it is in the public interest.
Asked if Victoria Police would investigate the bugging, a spokesman said the force would “assess the complaint and work with IBAC to determine how best an investigation might proceed”.
State Labor MP Tim Richardson, an ally of Mr Somyurek, said the recordings were “a great concern for our commonwealth and our national security” because “we don’t know what has been compromised”. “That needs to be investigated no less by the Australian Federal Police, and if it’s a national security risk, ASIO,” he said.
The Herald Sun understands the matter is not under investigation by the AFP.
State Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said the recordings needed to be probed as part of a “fully-fledged investigation that exposes any illegal activity carried out by members of this Labor government and their staff”.
Mr Andrews said the investigation would “go wherever it goes … at arm’s length from the Victorian government”.
Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the bugging would be investigated by Victoria Police and IBAC, although he had not spoken to Mr Byrne. The scandal was not raised in federal Labor’s caucus meeting on Tuesday.
Some Liberals strongly support Mr Byrne continuing in his committee role, given his experience and bipartisan approach to issues including foreign interference.
But others said it was an “open question” whether he should keep the sensitive job.
“The fact he hasn’t fronted up is starting to look bad,” a Liberal minister said.
Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter said Mr Albanese should be seeking “to get some level of understanding as to what happened”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was tight-lipped, telling colleagues: “The Labor Party appear to have a few struggles at present but that’s a problem for them.”
A Nine spokesman said 60 Minutes would not speculate on its sources. Those involved in the program maintained the material was lawfully obtained and broadcast.
MORE ON LABOR IN CRISIS
CLAIMS TAXPAYERS FOOTING BILL FOR FACTIONAL CHIEF
INSIDE THE HIT ON ADEM SOMYUREK