Victorian government minister and factional powerbroker Adem Somyurek has been sacked from cabinet, Premier Daniel Andrews says.
Right faction warlord Adem Somyurek has been sacked from the cabinet after being named at the heart of the allegations, which were uncovered in a year-long investigation by 60 Minutes and The Age.
“Mr Somyurek was not offered an opportunity to resign. He’s not worthy of an opportunity to resign. He was sacked,” Premier Daniel Andrews said this morning.
“His conduct and his comments are completely deplorable, they are shameful, and it is on that basis that there is no place in my government for him.”
Mr Andrews is also seeking to have Mr Somyurek expelled from the Australian Labor Party.
The conversations published without my knowledge or consent were with someone who I trusted about internal party matters. There are many robust discussions that occur on any given day in the Labor Party across all factions.
Mr Somyurek also apologised for his disparaging and misogynistic remarks against Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams and the LGBTI community, following an Age and 6o Minutes investigation on Sunday night.
“I will f—ing force her out of the ministry, that f—ing stupid bitch, when Andrews goes … She’s a stupid, stupid moll,” Mr Somyurek said of Ms Williams. “I’m going to f—ing knock her f—ing head off. She’s a f—ing psycho bitch.”
“It is clear that I was taped and surveilled in a federal electorate office without my knowledge and that this material was published without any knowledge of its existence or my consent,” Mr Somyurek said.
“However, I accept and take full responsibility for the fact that my language on a number of occasions was simply not appropriate. 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.
However I accept and take full responsibility for the fact that my language on a number of occasions was simply not appropriate. 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.
‘He should go to jail’: Hanson slams MP
One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson has lashed out over explosive corruption allegations against Adem Somyurek, saying the Victorian Labor MP should have “the book thrown at him”, citing her own stint in prison.
“Of course he should go to jail for it,” Ms Hanson said on Channel 9’s Today this morning.