Not my job to probe Somyurek, says Albanese as ALP poised to intervene

Anthony Albanese says he’s focused on being ‘match fit’ for government, not whether covert footage of ALP powerbroker Adem Somyurek was filmed in the office of a federal Labor MP.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese says it’s not his job to investigate whether covert footage of disgraced ALP powerbroker Adem Somyurek was filmed in the office of a federal Labor MP.

Footage screened on Sunday night’s 60 Minutes showed a federal parliament house screensaver and a map of the electorate of Holt on the wall of an office, as Mr Somyurek allegedly engaged in branch-stacking activities.

The seat of Holt is held by Mr Somyurek’s factional ally Anthony Byrne, the Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Asked whose office the footage was filmed in, Mr Albanese said he “wasn’t aware of the details”.

“That’s a matter for — for Channel Nine and 60 Minutes,” Mr Albanese told 7.30 on Monday night.

Anthony Albanese. Picture: AAP

Asked whether he wasn’t curious as federal Labor leader about whether the footage had been shot in a federal MP’s office, Mr Albanese said he was concerned about Labor being “match fit” for government.

Pressed on whether he would find out whose office it was, given federal MPs may have sensitive discussions around matters of national security and intelligence in their offices, Mr Albanese said: “My job isn’t to investigate.”

“Premier Andrews has forwarded investigations on to the anti-corruption body in Victoria and on to the police and that’s appropriate,” he said.

Mr Albanese dismissed Mr Somyurek as “someone I have barely met”, disputing Mr Somyurek’s claim to have control over the federal ALP.

In a recording played on 60 Minutes, Mr Somyurek boasted of his power over Mr Albanese, telling a Labor staffer: “Who is going to protect Albo?”

Mr Albanese said suggestions Mr Somyurek’s political reach extended to Canberra were “just not true”.

“He is someone I have barely met, and the fact is, what’s concerning here, is that when you have branch stacking and a distortion, essentially, of outcomes, it does need to be stamped out.

Mr Albanese disputed that branch stacking had resulted in Labor having MPs in Canberra who did not deserve to be there.

“No. We don’t,” he said.

“In terms of all the members who Mr Somyurek had spoken about, (they) have my faith and confidence and are deserving of support.

“They have been going about their job, which is why it’s a distraction.

“Most people don’t join for internal purposes. What we saw last night, very clearly from Mr Somyurek, was not seeking political power in order to change society, in order to make a difference, it was political power for its own sake.

“That’s why the Labor Party is a better party today without Mr Somyurek’s membership and involvement.”

ALP poised to intervene on Victorian Labor

The ALP is poised to impose national intervention on the Victorian Labor Party.

Former premier Steve Bracks is favourite to head an inquiry into the state branch.

Discussions also have been held regarding former federal frontbencher Jenny Macklin.

Senior party sources said Ms Macklin’s appointment was less certain.

It comes amid chaos in the branch after powerbroker Adem Somyurek was punted as a Cabinet minister and party member.

Second minister resigns

Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Veterans Robin Scott also tendered his resignation late on Monday, after Nine’s 60 Minutes played a recording of his now disgraced factional ally Adem Somyurek sayin Scott had agreed to allow his electorate officer, Nathan Croft, to branch stack while employed in his office - an allegation Scott denies.

Robin Scott has resigned. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“The Australian Labor Party has played an enormous part in my life, and champions values that I hold particularly dear,” Mr Scott said in a statement.

“Because of this, I found the recent reporting of matters relating to the administration of the party especially confronting.

“To the extent that these matters relate to my conduct, I look forward to the opportunity to clear my name.

“I am very confident that the investigative process will do so.

“However, I am conscious of the burden that this process will take on myself and my young family.

“I am also concerned at the distraction my involvement in the process may cause for the government.

“I have therefore notified the Premier that I will stand aside from my ministerial responsibilities, and I have notified the Governor of the resignation of my commission, effective immediately.”

Mr Scott said he would continue to serve his inner northern Melbourne seat of Preston to the best of his ability, “and I remain grateful to have the privilege of doing so”.

I sacked ‘deplorable’ Adem Somyurek, says Andrews

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews sacked Adem Somyurek from his cabinet hours before the disgraced Minister for Local Government and Small Business quit the ALP amid revelations of ‘industrial scale’ branch-stacking.

Mr Andrews fired Mr Somyurek this morning and wrote to the National Executive of the Australian Labor Party asking that Mr Somyurek’s membership “be terminated”.

Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese backed Mr Somyurek’s expulsion from the Australian Labor Party, and the national executive was due to sign off on the termination of his membership this afternoon.

But Mr Somyurek got in first, resigning from the ALP minutes before the meeting to vote to expel him.

“What we saw last night on 60 Minutes was someone seeking power as and in itself. A corruption of the political process. It has no place in the Australian Labor Party,” Mr Albanese said in Canberra.

“The national executive committee will … take immediate action against Adem Somyurek, and from that point in time, he will not be a member of the Australian Labor Party.”

Nine’s 60 Minutes alleged Mr Somyurek, a member of the ALP national executive, handed a folder containing $2000 and dozens of party membership forms to a ministerial adviser who used the cash to pay for new members.

The program also played recordings of Mr Somyurek describing Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams as a “”stupid bitch” whom he will “f---ing force … out of the ministry” and young Labor staffers as “patronising and annoying”, and “real little f---ing slimy little f---ers, little passive-aggressive f---ing gay kids”,

‘He didn’t resign, he was sacked’

Despite Mr Somyurek earlier releasing a statement saying he had resigned, Mr Andrews sacked him.

The Premier said Mr Somyurek was not offered the opportunity to resign: “he didn’t deserve the opportunity”.

“Mr Somyurek’s comments are derogatory and offensive and are unacceptable. His threatening language towards Gabrielle Williams, the Minister for Women, is a disgrace and cannot be tolerated,” Mr Andrews said.

Attorney-General Jill Hennessy referred the allegations against Mr Somyurek to Victoria Police and IBAC for investigation.

IBAC has confirmed it is investigating the allegations with the referral “currently under consideration”.

Mr Andrews said Mr Somyurek’s behaviour was “deplorable” and “shameful”.

“What Mr Somyurek said, what Mr Somyurek has done … his conduct and his comments … are completely deplorable, they are shameful. There is no place in my team for him. That is what I informed him this morning,” Mr Andrews said.

“He was sacked. Any statements to the contrary are simply false.”

There was, Mr Andrew said, no debate.

“He offered no defence of his actions. It was not a meeting where I was having a debate or discussion with him. I was simply doing him the courtesy of informing him in person of the decisions that I had taken … and that was to essentially end his career as a minister and end his career as a member of the Australian Labor Party and therefore a member of my Government.”

Allies remain

However, Mr Somyurek’s factional allies, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming, Liquor Regulation & Suburban Development Minister Marlene Kairouz, and Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Veterans Robin Scott, who were also implicated in branch stacking allegations, remain in cabinet.

‘Words matter’: Williams

In a statement, Ms Williams said: “words matter”.

“Violent, misogynistic language perpetuates the attitudes and behaviours that enable a culture of violence against women,” she said.

“Whether at home, in the street, at work or in the halls of parliament, this language is unacceptable – when it does occur, it must be called out.

“I am very grateful for the support I have received from across the community overnight and commend the Premier’s actions this morning.

“Today and every day, this government is working tirelessly to end violence against women and build a gender equal Victoria.

“Last night was another reminder of how important this work is, and how much work there is still left to do. Words spoken by one man will not derail this work.”

Replacement problematic: Pearson ineligible

MrAndrews’ plan to replace Mr Somyurek with his parliamentary secretary Danny Pearson then hit a roadblock in the form of the Victorian constitution.

Section 50 of the state constitution limits the number of ministers from each house of parliament to 17.

Mr Pearson’s promotion would see 18 Legislative Assembly MPs in the Andrews government’s ministry.

Mr Andrews earlier said that while circumstances were “far from ideal”, he was “very pleased” to welcome Mr Pearson, who has played a leading role in the government’s Belt and Road Initiative deal with China, into the ministry.

The Australian has contacted the Premier’s office for comment.

Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said the “corruption mire” engulfing the Andrews government had turned to “farce” with the news Mr Andrews’ “captain’s pick” to replace Mr Somyurek was ineligible.

“In a shambolic turn of events, the Premier never bothered to check if this appointment would breach the constitution,” Mr O’Brien said. “Tip: It does.

“Now some second choice Upper House Labor MP will get a consolation prize of a ministry and a massive pay increase all because Daniel Andrews’ arrogance is only matched by his incompetence.”

Mr O’Brien said it would be the second cabinet reshuffle in two months, following key Andrews ally and Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings’ retirement from politics in March.

“Victorians have been ripped off by this Labor government’s culture of corruption and now they have been let down by this Premier’s blind panic,” Mr O’Brien said.

Never again: Labor national executive

Labor Party National President Wayne Swan has moved to ensure Mr Somyurek is banned from ever re-joining the ALP, after the ex-minister resigned from the party before he was kicked out.

“The conduct of Mr Somyurek is reprehensible and at odds with everything the ALP stands for,” Mr Swan said.

“Noting that Mr Somyurek has now resigned his membership of the Victorian ALP, the National Executive Committee has taken further steps to ensure that there will never be a place for Mr Somyurek in the ALP ever again.

“The ALP National Executive takes these matters incredibly seriously, and will be responding to the wider issues raised over the last 24 hours in the coming days.”

Somyurek’s resignation claim

Earlier, Mr Somyurek claimed he had resigned. “It follows publication of numerous personal and private conversations between myself and a long term friend and factional ally of mine,” he said.

“It is clear that I was taped and surveilled in a federal electorate office without my knowledge and that this material was published without my knowledge of its existence or my consent.

“I will be taking steps to seek a police investigation into these matters.

“With respect to allegations made around memberships of the party, I reject those and will be providing a rigorous defence during any party process.

“The conversations published without my knowledge or consent were with someone who I trusted about internal party matters.”

In response to a recording of him describing Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams as a “stupid bitch” whom he will “f---ing force … out of the ministry” and young Labor staffers as “patronising and annoying”, and “real little f---ing slimy little f---ers, little passive-aggressive f---ing gay kids”, Mr Somyurek said there were “many robust discussions that occur on any given day in the Labor Party across all factions.”

(L-R) Jaclyn Symes, Gabrielle Williams, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Melissa Horne and Adem Somyurek pictured in November 2018. Picture: AAP

“However, I accept and take full responsibility for the fact that my language on a number of occasions was simply not appropriate,” he said.

Apology

“While Ms Williams and I have been at odds factionally for many years, I should not have used the language I did about her and I apologise to her unequivocally.

“Further, I am deeply sorry for language I used regarding highly valued and exceptional young people who are members of the LGBTI community.

“These comments have quite rightly cost me my job.”

Mr Andrews promoted Mr Somyurek back into the ministry following the 2018 election, after he was forced to resign as minister for small business, innovation and trade in 2015 amid allegations he had bullied his female chief of staff.

Defending his decision to give Mr Somyurek a second chance in November 2018, Mr Andrews said he had paid a “significant price” by resigning in 2015.

“I think he is a better man than he has ever been, and that is a significant thing,” Mr Andrews said.

“If I wasn’t confident of that, then he wouldn’t be back.”

Albanese spoke to Andrews

Earlier, Mr Albanese had promised “swift action” against Mr Somyurek.

“What we saw last night from this individual, just his comments alone … was quite extraordinary,” Mr Albanese told ABC News.

“Daniel Andrews is someone I have known for 25 years. He is someone who has just the interests of the people of Victoria at heart isn’t interested in tolerating this sort of behaviour.”

The Australian is not suggesting the allegations are true, only that they have been made. Mr Somyurek declined to comment on Sunday night.

Mr Albanese said he did not know Mr Somyurek and he had no influence in Federal Labor.

According to the program, the Victorian Minister said he was making gains in the federal parliamentary party and had told colleagues “Who’ll protect Albo?”

“I have barely met the bloke. The fact is that if he thinks that – no one watching that program outside of Victoria, including my federal colleagues would have heard of this bloke, it is as simple as that,” Mr Albanese said.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd told 60 Minutes reporter Nick ­McKenzie that Mr Somyurek was a “kingpin” and “Frankenstein” of the ALP. He called on Anthony Albanese and Premier Daniel ­Andrews to expel him from the party if he was shown to be ­involved in misconduct.

Former ALP senator Doug Cameron called for an immediate ALP national executive investigation into the allegations against Mr Somyurek. “If these allegations are true, decisive action must be taken, including expulsion and referral to the police,” he said.

According to one recording ­obtained by the program, Mr Somyurek said: “F. k the Premier.”

In another recording, he ­asserts he would be running the state if Mr Andrews stood down. “I’ll be just running the joint … It’s who I say is going to be the f. king premier.”

Referring to ALP power­brokers, Mr Somyurek said: “I’m more powerful than all of them put together.” In another recording, he said: “Our people have been putting like industrial-scale numbers, you know, just f. king masses for a year,” before describing plans to launch a “big f. king stackathon”.

Instead of relying on middlemen to do the dirty work, Somyurek begins paying for fake members himself, leaving him completely exposed. In this secret audio recording, he organises a cash drop off at a suburban shopping centre. #60Mins pic.twitter.com/tqdyBbXr8U

— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) June 14, 2020

According to the program, Mr Somyurek wanted to remove Victorian Labor MP Pauline Richards and to force Gabrielle Williams, the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, out of the ministry.

According to the program, he said he wanted to remove federal Labor MPs Rob Mitchell, Julian Hill and Joanne Ryan, while ­asserting Tim Watts relied on his support. “Tim Watts is like bowing to me. I don’t know what they say behind my back,” Mr Somyurek said in a video in which he imitates Mr Watts bowing to him.

Mr Somyurek is recorded saying he is “protecting” Anthony Byrne, the member for Holt and deputy chair of parliament’s intelligence and security committee.

The secret video and audio tapes reveal just how Somyurek has earned his power in the ALP. But how does he wield it? Somyurek certainly believes he has limitless influence over federal and state politicians. #60Mins pic.twitter.com/kWMIvFUgjq

— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) June 14, 2020

“Anthony’s got a terrible reputation, everyone thinks he’s a waste of space. I don’t. I protect him. I had to stop articles talking about Anthony Byrne going. I said he’s got my protection.”

Mr Somyurek claims on tape that he uses the parliamentary staff of MPs for branch stacking operations. He claims Assistant Treasurer Robin Scott agreed to allow his electorate officer, Nathan Croft, to work on boosting membership in key branches for Mr Somyurek.

According to McKenzie, the recordings were done over 12 months but it is not clear how they were done, or who made the ­recordings.

Additional reporting: Richard Ferguson