BREAKING NEWS-Investigation into Minister Somyurek

Sunday Night on 60 minutes Accusations were made of the most serious nature about Minister for Local Government, the Honourable Minister Adem Somyurek.

Minister Somyurek has been surveilled in an undercover investigation launched 12 months ago around the time that he dismissed the South Gippsland Shire Council.

The investigation has been conducted by the 60 minutes team and it has been alleged in the 60 minutes program that Somyurek organised branch stacking. Recordings purport to show Somyurek withdrawing cash at ATM’s and audio recordings show him stating that he would hand out the “packages” next day.

It was claimed in the program that Somyurek “controls” over two thirds of all branches in the Victorian ALP branches. The program claims that he is active in the South Eastern Metropolitan area.

The program claims at one point the stakes for winning means being able to influence who wins seats in State and Federal Parliament and who the local Mayor will be. The program claims that audio has Somyurek claiming he protected a Federal MP by saying he “had to stop articles about ### being printed, I protected him”.

The program claims that Somyurek is working towards removing those he does not approve of, not by democratic means through the ballot box, but by behind the scenes sheer power.

On the audio of one of the recorded telephone conversations the recording says, “in between sacking Councils and stuff, I ‘II be sacking Julian”.

The program claims that in the Victorian Parliament that Somyurek has marked certain MP’s for “execution” and on his “hitlist” is anyone who stands in his way. Audio purports Somyurek saying that “they are going to die; the new generation of leaders needs to be taught a lesson”.

The program plays audio of a telephone conversation purporting Somyurek saying that he will choose who the next Premier will be and that after that, he will get rid of a named female MP.

Throughout all the recordings the F word is used frequently, and the language appears to use quite nasty language terms and phrases to describe others.

Kevin Rudd was quoted in the interview that “if proven in the case of Somyurek, then there is no place for Somyurek in the Australian Labour Party. None whatsoever. He should be booted out. Very simple, and if they have fallen foul of the law, throw the book at them”. 

Questions need to be answered now by the Premier and investigations into any decisions the Minister has made in the last 12 months at least should be reviewed.