IBAC hearings LIVE updates Adem Somyurek in the box seat for branch stacking inquiry

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The public hearings running this week are part of an inquiry called Operation Watts into allegations of corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers, including members of parliament.

The investigation is run jointly by the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and the Victorian Ombudsman and its remit includes allegations of branch stacking in the Victorian Labor Party, as first revealed in an investigation by The Age and 60 Minutes last year.

Branch stacking is an organised method of accumulating internal power in a party by recruiting, and usually paying the fees for, new members.

But it’s much more pointed than just that. The real question is whether public officers, including Victorian members of parliament, are engaging in corrupt conduct by directing ministerial or electorate office staff to perform party‐political work when they should instead be doing ministerial or electorate work.

It will also look at whether public money given by the Victorian government as grants to community associations, has been redirected and misused to fund party‐political activities, or for any other improper purposes. It will ask if ministers or others involved in granting the funds have “dishonestly performed their functions” or “knowingly or recklessly breached public trust”.

The inquiry will look into whether any public officer, their families or their associates, received a personal benefit from these things, and looks at what systems and controls are in place to monitor these money flows.

The hearing is expected to go for at least four weeks. It’s overseen by IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich, QC, and run by counsel assisting Chris Carr, SC.

Adem Somyurek says hiring a QC to represent him while he is in the witness box for four days is “overkill”.

State political reporter Sumeyya Ilanbey revealed this morning that Mr Somyurek parted ways with his barrister Remy van de Wiel, QC, ahead of the crucial public hearing.

The former government minister listed to be in the witness box for four days this week.

“Remy and I had agreed that a QC is overkill for this inquiry as my counsel’s ability to cross-examine witnesses has been severely curtailed,” Mr Somyurek said.

“The effect of this is the lies that have been told have been reported in the media without me being given a chance to refute them. I have a great deal of respect for Remy’s experience and ability, and will look at re-engaging him if the matter goes any further.”

All other witnesses have been represented by barristers during the public hearings

Given the examinations were being live-streamed on a 30-minute delay, Mr Somyurek said he was unable to cross-examine people in real time.

During Federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne’s evidence to the corruption commission inquiry, Commissioner Robert Redlich told Mr van de Wiel - who was going to cross-examine Mr Byrne for Mr Somyurek - said that Mr Somyurek could be heard off-camera giving instructions.

“I would prefer some level of separation for this exercise,” Mr van de Wiel told the hearing. “I’m not suggesting anything prejudicial against him, I quite like him, but sometimes I wish he’d slow down.”

Mr van de Wiel declined to comment when contacted by The Age, but confirmed he was no longer working for Mr Somyurek.

Welcome back to The Age’s live coverage of the Victorian anti-corruption commission hearings into allegations of corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers, including members of Parliament.

The evidence this week is squarely focused on Adem Somyurek. The former government minister listed to be questioned today, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday.

Adem Somyurek was sacked as a minister in June 2020 following allegations of branch stacking.Credit:Jason South

Mr Somyurek, who had wielded vast political power in the Andrews Labor government and in the federal ranks of the party, is at the centre of allegations of misuse of taxpayer-funded staff and grants to grow his internal power base in the party.

Mr Somyurek was sacked by Premier Daniel Andrews as a minister in June 2020 after The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes revealed allegations he oversaw an industrial-scale branch stacking operation in which inexperienced ministerial staff were recruited for factional activities.

Mr Somyurek has rejected the allegations.

The hearings are expected to commence at 10.30am.

The public hearings running this week are part of an inquiry called Operation Watts into allegations of corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers, including members of parliament.

The investigation is run jointly by the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and the Victorian Ombudsman and its remit includes allegations of branch stacking in the Victorian Labor Party, as first revealed in an investigation by The Age and 60 Minutes last year.

Branch stacking is an organised method of accumulating internal power in a party by recruiting, and usually paying the fees for, new members.

But it’s much more pointed than just that. The real question is whether public officers, including Victorian members of parliament, are engaging in corrupt conduct by directing ministerial or electorate office staff to perform party‐political work when they should instead be doing ministerial or electorate work.

It will also look at whether public money given by the Victorian government as grants to community associations, has been redirected and misused to fund party‐political activities, or for any other improper purposes. It will ask if ministers or others involved in granting the funds have “dishonestly performed their functions” or “knowingly or recklessly breached public trust”.

The inquiry will look into whether any public officer, their families or their associates, received a personal benefit from these things, and looks at what systems and controls are in place to monitor these money flows.

The hearing is expected to go for at least four weeks. It’s overseen by IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich, QC, and run by counsel assisting Chris Carr, SC.

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