Adem Somyurek sacked from cabinet: Premier's office - The Age

The Premier resisted questions over branch stacking in the Labor Party, saying "today is not a day" to discuss it further.

"I have had numerous conversations with federal leader Anthony Albanese today, last night, and we will have more to say about those matters soon," he said.

Mr Andrews said he had never undertaken branch stacking himself.

"I follow the party's rules. I'm the leader of the party and I don't think I've got much more to add to that," Mr Andrews said.

He said he would seek to have Mr Somyurek expelled from the Australian Labor Party and has referred the allegations to IBAC and Victoria Police.

"That letter has been sent and it is my expectation that the national executive will agree to terminate Mr Somyurek's membership of the Australian Labor Party," he said.

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"I have also instructed - asked - the Attorney-General to refer all of these matters as canvassed last night on the television and in various newspaper reports today to both Victoria Police and to IBAC and the Attorney-General has written in those terms and those referrals have been made," the Premier said.

Mr Somyurek issued a statement on Monday morning saying he offered his resignation to Premier Daniel Andrews, and will be calling for a police investigation into the covert recordings.

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."

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Mr Andrews blasted Mr Somyurek’s "wicked" comments about Ms Williams.

"I have spoken to Gab a number of times since last night's TV program and I have reassured her of the support that I've also provided to her, the regard I have always had for her and the fact that the things that were said about her are simply unacceptable, wicked comments and I simply will not tolerate those," Mr Andrews said.

Mr Andrews said he met with Mr Somyurek on Monday at 9am with the intention "to essentially end his career as a minister and end his career as a member of the Australian Labor Party and therefore a member of my government".

"He offered no defence of his actions. It was not a meeting where I was having a debate or discussion with him. I was simply doing him the courtesy of informing him in person of the decisions that I had taken," he said.

In his statement, Mr Somyurek rejected accusations of branch stacking and said he would provide a "rigorous defence".

"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.

"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 rightly cost me my job."

Mr Andrews said ministers Robin Scott and Marlene Kairouz, close allies of Mr Somyurek within the party, had given him assurances that they had acted appropriately.

Mr Andrews said he would not ask them to step aside while Victoria Police and IBAC investigate.

"Victorians can have confidence that Victoria Police and IBAC will look at all off these matters thoroughly," he said.

It will be Mr Somyurek’s decision whether he chooses to remain in the upper house as an independent member and Mr Andrews said he was not concerned by how Mr Somyurek might act in Parliament in future.

"I have just sacked the bloke. I don’t think [the Labor Party] will be sitting down and doing any deals with him, be really clear about that," Mr Andrews said.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvcG9saXRpY3MvdmljdG9yaWEvYWRlbS1zb215dXJlay1yZXNpZ25zLWZyb20tY2FiaW5ldC0yMDIwMDYxNS1wNTUybHAuaHRtbNIBY2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvcG9saXRpY3MvdmljdG9yaWEvYWRlbS1zb215dXJlay1yZXNpZ25zLWZyb20tY2FiaW5ldC0yMDIwMDYxNS1wNTUybHAuaHRtbA?oc=5

2020-06-15 01:07:07Z
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