Victorian ALP branch stacking scandal: Nazih Elasmar’s links to disgraced ex-ministers

The Victorian Labor MP promoted to president of the state’s upper house has close links those embroiled in the branch stacking scandal.

Nazih Elasmar is a close factional ally of disgraced former ministers Adem Somyurek, Marlene Kairouz and Robin Scott. Picture: Supplied

The Victorian Labor MP promoted by Daniel Andrews on Thursday to become the president of the state’s upper house is so closely linked to the former ministers embroiled in the branch stacking scandal that two of his family members worked for one of them until this week.

Mr Andrews appointed Nazih Elasmar as President of the Legislative Council, after the previous president Shaun Leane was promoted to cabinet along with former minister for industrial relations, aboriginal affairs, women and the prevention of family violence Natalie Hutchins and parliamentary secretary Danny Pearson.

Mr Elasmar is a close factional ally of disgraced former ministers Adem Somyurek, Marlene Kairouz and Robin Scott.

The Australian can reveal his daughter, Adele Elasmar, worked as an electorate officer in Mr Scott’s office for more than six years, until April 2015, and until Tuesday was working as an executive assistant in Ms Kairouz’s ministerial office.

Mr Elasmar’s nephew, Elie Khalil, was until Tuesday a policy adviser in Ms Kairouz’s office.

Some of the branch stacking allegations made against Ms Kairouz and Mr Somyurek relate to conversations between the pair which reportedly took place in a conference room in the ministerial offices they shared, and in which Ms Elasmar and Mr Khalil worked.

In a recording of the conversation obtained by the Nine Network, Ms Kairouz refers to Labor's Left faction, of which Premier Daniel Andrews is a member, as “all white” branch stackers.

Ms Kairouz and Mr Elasmar both hail from the Lebanese Maronite community, while Mr Somyurek was born in Turkey.

“I’ll give you an example, if Tim Richardson was able to recruit, and he’s a good friend of ours, I don’t know why he is not here … if he goes out and recruits 10 people in the Labor Party they will probably fly him around the country and say … good on him,” Ms Kairouz said in the recording.

“But if I recruit my sister, my brother, my mum and my dad, I’m a stacker.”

Labor sources have suggested that Mr Elasmar’s promotion is an indication of the power Mr Somyurek’s grouping still holds within the Andrews government.

A spokeswoman for the government said: “Mr Elasmar has made a significant contribution to the Legislative Council as a former deputy president and a representative for Melbourne's north, and is well respected on both sides of the chamber."

Liberal Party MPs welcomed the appointment when it was announced in the Legislative Council on Thursday, congratulating Mr Elasmar.

“There is no-one who is better prepared, who deserves this position as much as you do,” said former Liberal upper house president Bruce Atkinson.

“Congratulations. I am absolutely delighted for you that the Labor Party has finally seen the need to put their confidence in somebody who is one of the most genuine persons that I have ever met. You will do a fabulous job.”

Liberal Deputy President Wendy Lovell was similarly effusive.

“Nazih and I have been great friends even though we are on opposite sides of the chamber — I so look forward to working with you,” Ms Lovell said.

“If I had chosen the new president myself, I would have chosen you, because there is no-one else I would rather work with.”

Mr Elasmar has been in parliament since 2006, serving briefly as upper house deputy president for six months in 2018, but otherwise sitting on the backbench.

A social conservative, he voted against government legislation on voluntary assisted dying when allowed a conscience vote in 2017.

Hutchins returns to cabinet

Ms Hutchins, who is aligned with the AWU Right faction of the Labor Party, left the ministry in 2018 for family reasons, following the death after a long battle with cancer of her husband, former NSW senator Steve Hutchins.

Announcing her return to cabinet, Premier Daniel Andrews praised Ms Hutchins for her "courage and conviction".

"Our government has always been resolute in our commitment to meaningful equality, and I understand that all too often when women take a step back, they don't get another opportunity," Mr Andrews said.

"If you know Nat, you know her remarkable courage and conviction. Her return to cabinet is testament to that tenacity – and we are extraordinarily proud to welcome her back."

Mr Leane, a former electrician and Electrical Trades Union delegate, also entered parliament in 2006 and served as a parliamentary secretary before being made upper house president after the 2018 election.

He is a member of the non-Somyurek Right of the Labor Party.

Mr Andrews said Mr Leane would bring an “extraordinary work ethic” to the ministry "and keep us grounded as a government of working people – for working people."

On Monday, Mr Andrews announced he would appoint Mr Pearson, from the AWU-aligned Right, as a replacement for Mr Somyurek as small business and local government minister.

Mr Pearson was not sworn in as planned on Monday afternoon, after it emerged that his appointment would breach a Victorian constitutional requirement for there to be no more than 17 lower house MPs in cabinet.

The subsequent resignations of Mr Scott later on Monday and Ms Kairouz early on Tuesday further complicated the issue, as did suggestions Mr Pearson may be conflicted as a local government minister given his wife is a Moonee Valley councillor.

Mr Pearson is a former chairman of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee and has played a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative deal with China as parliamentary secretary to the Premier.

“Over the course of his career, Danny has proven himself as a passionate advocate for progressive values – and a passionate believer in the power of government to change lives. I know he will bring that same energy and enthusiasm
to his portfolios,” Mr Andrews said.

“Portfolios will be assigned in the coming days.”

Mr Leane's promotion to cabinet has been met with derision by the state opposition.

Coalition frontbencher Tim Smith tweeted photographs of Mr Leane, who is known for his undercut and ponytail hairstyle, in which the new member of Mr Andrews' cabinet is wearing pigtails.

"Victorian taxpayers!" Mr Smith wrote. "The clown pictured below is about to become a Minister in Chairman Dan’s regime. His name is Shaun Leane. He will be paid a base salary of $352,000. I’m sure this must reassure everyone that this corrupt government is in good hands …"

Victorian taxpayers !

The clown 🤡 pictured below is about to become a Minister in Chairman Dan’s regime.

His name is Shaun Leane.

He will be paid a base salary of $352,000.

I’m sure this must reassure everyone that this corrupt government is in good hands... pic.twitter.com/XmCUXIO4um

— Tim Smith MP (@TimSmithMP) June 18, 2020

Mr Leane tweeted the photographs of himself at the height of COVID-19 lockdown in April, writing: "Today I’ve been running a new hairdo past my cell mate. The feedback has been a bit inconsistent."

Today I’ve been running a new hairdo past my cell mate

The feedback has been a bit inconsistent pic.twitter.com/Mp5UGe77ox

— Shaun Leane (@ShaunLeaneMP) April 5, 2020

On Thursday morning, Mr Andrews dismissed the notion that he would have to fill the three positions with MPs from the Right of the ALP, given Mr Somyurek, Ms Kairouz and Mr Scott were from the Right.

“No. I see them slightly differently,” said Mr Andrews, who is from the Socialist Left.

“I see them as positions in the cabinet to work hard every day for the people of Victoria, and they will be filled by outstanding candidates, people who will work very hard every day to deliver our agenda.

“That's what they are. They’re positions in a Labor ministry.”