Secret document reveals ‘sexual harassment’ claim against TWU boss Mem Suleyman

The Victorian union leader suspended from one of the most powerful positions in the state is now facing a raft of fresh allegations, including sexual harassment against a female staff member.

Mem Suleyman.

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A Victorian union leader suspended from one of the most powerful industrial and political positions in the state over official complaints of sexual harassment and bullying is now facing a raft of fresh allegations to have emerged since his standing-down.

The Australian can reveal that among the complaints that forced Transport Workers Union state secretary Mem Suleyman to be shown the door three weeks ago was an allegation of sexual harassment against a female staff member.

Details of the allegations against the suspended TWU and Victorian ALP powerbroker are contained in a top secret TWU document – stamped “confidential and not for distribution” – presented to a branch committee of management crisis meeting on Tuesday.

The agenda document, dated August 26, was signed by branch president John Rowe and stated “urgent business to be dealt with” was an update on the “charge (a reference to the allegations) and suspension of Mem Suleyman”.

The “special BCOM meeting” agenda document flagged a “special general meeting of members in relation to charge (a reference to the allegations) of committing an offence against the union as referred to in Rule 43 of the union rules being a gross misbehaviour and/or gross neglect of duty”.

The one-page document refers to the following allegations:

• “Sexual harassment by Mem Suleyman against female staff member”;

• “Bullying and harassment by Mem Suleyman against organisers and staff”;

• “Possible additional particulars based on further complaints and information received after Mem Suleyman was suspended.”

The Australian is not suggesting the allegations against Mr Suleyman are true, only that they have been made and are being investigated by a former judge called in by the union’s national office.

Mr Suleyman is contesting the allegations and has lodged a raft of his own allegations, including claims that union documents were faked to force him out.

In his first public comments since his suspension, Mr Suleyman told The Australian: “I strongly deny the allegations.”

Suleyman, right, with Labor MP Sam Rae.

The Australian has confirmed there are growing concerns within sections of the union that Mr Suleyman is continuing to be paid his annual $236,000 salary while suspended and the lack of information the national office is sharing with members about the allegations and the inquiry.

These concerns are also fuelled by a fear that the national office might be trying to minimise the impact of the allegations on Mr Suleyman by limiting the details released to members.

The TWU national leadership declined to respond to specific questions about Tuesday’s Victorian division meeting. “The national committee of management takes both the allegations and counter-allegations that have been made in its Vic/Tas branch seriously,” a spokesperson said.

“That is why we have deployed our national ombudsman, retired judge the Hon. Frank Mark to conduct an independent investigation, examining specific com­plaints, as well as the broader culture and practice of the branch.”

Mr Suleyman’s suspension on August 9, first revealed by The Australian, has rocked the TWU and the Victorian ALP because the Suleyman family leads a powerful faction within the party.

Mr Suleyman and his father, longtime state and federal ­taxpayer-funded staffer Hakki Suleyman, sit on the Victorian ALP’s public office selection committee, are associated with 400-plus grassroots branch members and wield influence over a number of state and federal MPs.

Hakki Suleyman with a Sam Rae tote bag.

Mr Suleyman’s sister, Natalie Suleyman, is the member for the safe Labor state seat of St Albans and is Minister for Youth, Veterans and Small Business in the Allan government.

Mr Suleyman is close to federal Labor MP Sam Rae, who has repeatedly paid tribute to his Victorian factional ally in federal parliament and on social media, describing him as a “dear friend” and “great mate”.

Hakki Suleyman has worked in Mr Rae’s electorate office.

During the 2022 federal election campaign, Mr Rae posted a photo of himself with Mr Suleyman. “Proud as punch to be out at Melton with my amazing mate Mem Suleyman. This bloke fights every day for working people,” he declared in the post.

Despite the previous public support, Mr Rae, the member for Hawke, has not offered Mr Suleyman any public backing since he was stood down earlier this month.

After appointing retired Justice Marks to investigate the allegations, the national leadership of the TWU revealed a range of counter-allegations had been made about the management of the Port Melbourne-based union.

“Without passing comment on the veracity of the allegations, it has become clear that the working relationship between the branch secretary and the (state) committee of management has irretrievably broken down,” it said.