A third minister has resigned from the Andrews Labor government in Victoria amid explosive allegations of industrial-scale branch stacking and misogynistic remarks engulf the party.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz encouraged parliamentary staff to work on branch-stacking activities with dumped powerbroker Adem Somyurek, according to secret recordings revealed by The Age and 60 Minutes.Â
“This morning I notified the Premier that I will stand aside from my ministerial responsibilities and notified the Governor of the resignation of my commission,” she said in a statement.
“I no longer want these matters to be a distraction to the government. They have placed enormous pressure on my family and caused them great distress. I look forward to the opportunity to clear my name and am confident any investigative process will do so,” she said.
“I note that these matters do not relate to any allegations of criminality or corruption. I will continue to serve my electorate of Kororoit, which remains the greatest honour of my life.”
Victorian assistant treasurer and Minister for Veterans Robin Scott, a factional ally of Mr Somyurek, also quit the cabinet on Monday afternoon following the allegations.
It is alleged that Mr Somyurek used political advisers to stack party branches with fake ALP members to amass power within the Andrews state government.
It also alleged that he handed over thousands of dollars in secret cash drop-offs in an attempt to amass power, based on recordings of phone calls between him and a senior adviser.
Former premier Steve Bracks and former federal minister Jenny Macklin are tipped to lead a review by Labor’s national executive and federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese.
However the state Coalition are expected to use the resumption of state Parliament to apply pressure for more resignations and undermine the proposed review.
“Steve Bracks is personally connected with many current senior figures of the ALP which makes it impossible for him to be objective in any review,” shadow attorney general Edward O’Donoghue said.
“Further, as chairman of Maurice Blackburn he is hopelessly conflicted,” he said.