Former Labor MP Michael Danby slams covert recording of Adem Somyurek

Michael Danby, former long-serving Melbourne Labor MP and parliamentary security committee member speaks out.

Former long-serving Melbourne Labor MP Michael Danby Picture: David Geraghty

Michael Danby, former long-serving Melbourne Labor MP and one-time member of both the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security and the Privileges committees, has slammed the covert taping of disgraced Victorian Cabinet Minister, Adem Somyurek, as probably illegal and as “unethical” as the alleged branch stacking itself.

Mr Danby, the former Melbourne Ports MP, has spoken publicly in the interests of “balance” in the explosive political story of unfolding of covert taping, corruption allegations, political retribution and police inquiries.

For four days the role of Anthony Byrne, who’s office was used in covert audio and video taping which led to Mr Somyurek’s sacking and expulsion from the Victorian Cabinet and the ALP, has been questioned because of his role as deputy chairman of the Intelligence and Security committee.

Anthony Byrne.

Adem Somyurek.

Anthony Albanese, after three days, sought an assurance from Mr Byrne that he’d down “nothing illegal” and vouchsafed his support for him as deputy of the Intelligence committee.

Mr Danby told The Australian on Friday he was concerned about the “skulduggery” that was going on.

“I doubt whether it is legal for an MP to authorise a staff member to participate in the covert surveillance of colleagues in his own office,” Mr Danby said.

Labor MPs have publicly said covert surveillance taping is not illegal in Victoria and argued the covert taping in the office of an MP who receives secret information didn’t compromise national security or Parliamentary privilege.

But, Mr Danby, who served on the Intelligence Committee in the Gillard-Rudd Government and was on the Parliamentary privileges committee as well as a Parliamentary Secretary, contradicted those views and said even if it was “legal” it’s as unethical.

“It is, in my view, as unethical as the alleged branch stacking undertaken by Mr Somyurek, “ Mr Danby said.