‘Biggest scandal in history’: Dan Andrews responds to Adem Somyurek Red Shirts investigation push

Daniel Andrews has been quizzed on calls for another inquiry into what has been labelled the biggest political scandal in the state’s history.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has batted away questions about a push from former Labor MP Adem Somyurek for a second inquiry into the red shirts scandal.

The rogue MP on Tuesday demanded a follow-up inquiry be held into the political scandal, which was investigated by the Ombudsman in 2018.

The initial inquiry found Labor had paid casual electorate officers to don red shirts and campaign for the party in marginal seats during the 2014 state election, using $388,000 of taxpayer money.

But Mr Somyurek on Tuesday said he would move a motion in parliament to have it investigated for a second time by the state’s corruption watchdog.

“We participated in the biggest political scandal in Victoria’s history and benefited by winning office,” Mr Somyurek wrote in a piece published in the Herald Sun.

“Labor MPs had no choice but to barrack for Andrews and his team, they exploited the ALP’s stringent party discipline and in doing so compromised MPs by coercing them into complying with what was a corrupt scheme.”

Adem Somyurek wanted the scandal brought back before a corruption inquiry. Picture: Tony Gough

Ombudsman Deborah Glass’ 2018 investigation found Labor was wrong to spend taxpayer money on the election campaigning.

The party was ultimately forced to pay back the funds, but Ms Glass stopped short of recommending any criminal charges or referral to the state’s anti-corruption watchdog.

Mr Somyurek claimed there were flaws in the Ombudsman’s handling of the scandal and the matter needed to be further examined.

“The Ombudsman handed down a scathing report but did not refer to the matter as corrupt,” he said.

“According to legislation, the Ombudsman is compelled to notify IBAC if the Ombudsman has reasonable suspicion that the scheme was corrupt. The Ombudsman did not.”

Somyurek claimed Andrews’ elevation to opposition leader in had been due to a factional deal.

In his damning piece, Mr Somyurek said Labor MPs had been forced to take part in the scandal, and claimed Premier Daniel Andrews had acted desperately to prove himself as an opposition leader, before winning the election.

He claimed his elevation to opposition leader in 2014 had been due to a factional deal.

“This desperation drove Andrews to be a good opposition leader, but it had a significant downside,” he said.

“It made Andrews push the boundaries well beyond what was acceptable and compromise his MPs in the process.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews refused to comment on the latest development. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

While Mr Andrews previously responded to allegations Mr Somyurek aired during the state’s IBAC Operation Watts hearings last year, on Tuesday he refused to comment.

Asked about Somyurek’s move to bring the scandal before parliament once again, Mr Andrews maintained a straight face.

“I’ve got no comment to make on that,” he said.

“Those matters are for the Legislative Council.”

It’s expected the motion will be moved on Wednesday but already some upper house MPs have signalled they won’t support it.

Outside parliament on Tuesday, Reason Party leader Fiona Patten told reporters that she was yet to decide.

“Corruption is corruption but this just seems to be a man on a mission to seek revenge,” she said.

Meanwhile, Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said her party would not support the motion, telling reporters it would not be caught up in Labor’s factional warfare.

Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville refused to be interviewed by police in 2019 over the scandal. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The Ombudsman’s 2018 report found 21 Labor MPs had breached the guidelines by certifying the payments to electorate officers who weren’t allowed to campaign.

The list included ministers Jenny Mikakos, Martin Pakula, Lily D’Ambrodio, Gavin Jennings, John Eren and Gayle Tierney.

Fresh into the lower house’s first question time for 2022, opposition MP Brad Battin questioned why Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville refused to be interviewed by police in 2019 over the scandal.

He further questioned if the minister would comply with any further requests from police.

“I’m not going to comment on allegations that are being made by an individual who is himself before IBAC,” Ms Neville said.

[e-mail]