IBAC inquiry: Byrne ‘acted as consigliere’ to faction war lord Adem Somyurek

A system of ‘factional patronage’ within Victorian Labor has been detailed at an anti-corruption inquiry.

Federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne. Picture: AAP

A system of “factional patronage” within Victorian Labor has been detailed at an anti-corruption inquiry, with text messages revealing how powerbrokers reward allies with influence and taxpayer-funded jobs.

Victorian powerbroker Adem Somyurek and key moderate right Labor operative Rick Garotti spoke of getting the daughter of a key recruiter a taxpayer-funded job, helping an ally land a government board position and awarding of grants linked to aligned community organisations.

The damning texts were shown to the Independent Broadbased anti-Corruption Commission on Monday, with Mr Garotti – Mayor of Banyule in Melbourne’s northeast – telling the commission employing family and allies was “part of the culture of the party and factional system”.

In one message sent on March 25, 2017, Mr Garotti asks Mr Somyurek to follow up with key Andrews government frontbencher Martin Pakula to help recruiter Dr Hussein Haraco “get over the line” for a board position with the Coronial Council of Victoria.

“Dr Hussein has put in an expression of interest with the Coronial Council of Victoria for a Board type position (which is paid),” Mr Garotti texted Mr Somyurek. “Could you follow up with Pakula to see if we can get Dr over the line? Happy to chat.”

Mr Somyurek replied: “OK are you back.”

In a text to Mr Somyurek on November 11, 2016, Mr Garotti asks if a position on a panel of business and community leaders will be paid. “If so, I suggest we put an application in for Dr Hussein (due on the website next week) and see if we get him on the panel.”

Mr Garotti told the commission the board position was a “good opportunity to look after Hussein” as part of the party’s system of factional patronage.

He said Federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne played a “consigliere” role as he guided and advised Mr Somyurek in factional politics.

Dr Haraco, a former electorate officer to Mr Somyurek and Somali Australian Council of Victoria (SACOV) secretary, is slated to give evidence from Wednesday.

In another text on October 6, 2015, Mr Garotti asked Mr Somyurek to look into why SACOV was denied a government grant it had successfully applied for previously. Mr Somyurek agrees to approach then Victorian multicultural minister Robin Scott, who resigned in June 2020 after reports of rampant branch stacking in the moderate right faction.

“Have just emailed you about the (Victorian Multicultural Commission) funding issues with SACOV that we discussed on Sunday. Be great if you could look into it,” said Mr Garotti.

Mr Somyurek replied “Robin not in parliament today”.

Two days later Mr Garotti asked Mr Somyurek “Any luck with Robin yet?”. Mr Somyurek responded “He has not been in parliament he will be today – will speak to him today”.

In a message sent by Mr Garotti to Mr Somyurek on December 7, 2018, he asks the Victorian powerbroker if Dr Haraco still has a job in his electorate office now his daughter, Huda, is “looked after” before asking whether members can be recruited in branches controlled by Mr Scott and Nazih Elasmar, currently president of Victoria’s upper house.

“I just want to confirm so I can let Dr know the situation. Also is Robin (Scott) open to us recruiting Somalis into his branch in Batman or do I need through Nazih/Allison, challenging as it may be.”

Mr Garotti said he believed Mr Elasmar paid for memberships – a key part of branch stacking – because there was an expectation “everyone has to kick in”.

He said he felt compelled to impress Mr Somyurek because of his political ambitions, with the powerbroker giving him the impression he had to show he could handle the factional side of Labor if he wanted to become an MP.

Mr Garotti said he spent about $5000 a year maintaining the branch, with about $3000 on membership renewals and the rest on costs such as venue hire.