‘Assassin’ federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne used media pals to ‘destroy’ rivals

Explosive texts from Labor MP Anthony Byrne reveal he boasted about using the media to ‘destroy’ his enemies.

The Australian can reveal Victorian federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne texted a political colleague to say he was meeting a reporter to “destroy a guys (sic) career’’. Picture: AAP

Explosive texts from the federal Labor MP who is the deputy head of parliament’s intelligence ­committee, with access to national secrets, reveal he boasted about using the media to “destroy’’ ­enemies and exact political ­retribution.

The Australian can reveal Victorian federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne texted a political colleague to say he was meeting a reporter to “destroy a guys (sic) career’’.

The leaked texts also raise questions about national security issues, with Mr Byrne revealing to colleagues he was working with the ABC’s current affairs flagship, Four Corners, on a story about China.

The Australian has revealed dozens of at times expletive-laden and derogatory texts sent by Mr Byrne to ousted Victoria minister Adem Somyurek that attack colleagues, including calling a female Labor figure a “ratf..ker”, and discuss the recruitment of ethnic groups to the party.

It emerged at the weekend that Mr Byrne’s office was used to ­secretly record conversations with Mr Somyurek that have led to his resignation from the Victorian state cabinet.

The appointment to “destroy a guys (sic) career’’ was with award-winning journalist Nick McKenzie, whose report this week sparked the downfall of Mr Somyurek, a Victorian Labor powerbroker, by using video covertly filmed in Mr Byrne’s office for part of a 60 Minutes expose on branch stacking.

“Gimme a sec. I am just dealing wit (sic) Nic (sic) McKenzie (from 60 minutes and The Age) and about to destroy a guys (sic) ­career,’’ Mr Byrne wrote to Mr Somyurek in one of the blunt text messages. “Will be in touch when I sort this.’’

The text was sent at 6.27pm on August 3 but the year was not published. The Byrne texts seen by The Australian were all sent in 2017, 2018 or 2019.

Anthony Albanese on Thursday backed Mr Byrne to remain deputy chair of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security. The federal Opposition Leader said he “counselled” Mr Byrne over his texts and sought assurances he acted legally, following the bugging of his office.

Scott Morrison said it was up to Mr Albanese whether Mr Byrne should continue to serve on the powerful committee. “There are very serious implications … this is an important committee, a very important committee, which facilitates, on occasion, bipartisanship on important national security ­issues,’’ the Prime Minister said.

“It really is a test for Mr Albanese as to whether he thinks Mr Byrne should continue to serve on that committee.”

A second Byrne text dated July 31, 2017, savages Labor figure Sam Dastyari as a “crooked, corrupt f..k’’, then adds: “I was with McKenzie last Monday.’’

It then pointed Mr Somyurek to The Age website.

On the same day as the second text was sent, the newspaper ran a story by McKenzie and two other reporters on the director of a ­tobacco company suspected of smuggling cigarettes who had ­donated $400,000 to the Labor Party. Then-senator Dastyari, who oversaw one of the donations, was quoted in the article calling for a ban on political gifts.

The Australian is not suggesting there is any connection between the meeting with McKenzie and the publication of the political donations story or that the relationship is inappropriate.

Another text seen by The Australian threatens to seek retribution against a female Labor operative via the ABC’s Four Corners program.

The third text from Mr Byrne to Mr Somyurek reads: “Because if she (Labor operative) mucks you up I will make sure she guest stars in the next four corners (sic) hatchet job on China. Which I will be on. Watch her, she’s a ratf..ker.’’

The 60 Minutes report has led to three ministerial resignations in Victoria but also alarmed the Morrison government because Mr Somyurek was secretly filmed in Mr Byrne’s office for the report headed by McKenzie.

As the deputy chairman of the security and intelligence committee, Mr Byrne is arguably the opposition’s most senior conduit between defence and intelligence agencies and the Australian political establishment.

There are two police investigations and an anti-corruption inquiry into alleged branch stacking in Victoria, which has smashed the broad Right faction.

Mr Albanese said on Thursday he had counselled Mr Byrne about his role on the intelligence committee and the texts.

Mr Byrne’s office did not respond to The Australian.