Examine individual changes

'{{Use dmy dates|date = January 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Adem Somyurek |honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]] |honorific-suffix = MLC |image = Adem_Somyurek_portrait,_2015.jpg |caption = Somyurek in 2015 |birth_name = Adem Kubilay Somyurek |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|9|25|df=y}} |birth_place = [[Izmir]], [[Turkey]] |office = [[Minister for Local Government (Victoria)|Minister for Local Government]] |premier1 = [[Daniel Andrews]] |term_start1 = 29 November 2018 |predecessor1 = [[Marlene Kairouz]] |office2 = Minister for Small Business |premier2 = [[Daniel Andrews]] |term_start2 = 29 November 2018 |predecessor2 = [[Philip Dalidakis]] |office3 = Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] for [[South Eastern Metropolitan Region]] |term_start3 = 25 November 2006 |office4 = Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] for [[Eumemmerring Province]] |term_start4 = 30 November 2002 |term_end4 = 25 November 2006 |predecessor4 = [[Neil Lucas]] |successor4 =''Seat abolished'' |office5 = Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade |premier5 = [[Daniel Andrews]] |term_start5 = 3 December 2014 |term_end5 = 27 July 2015 |predecessor5 = [[Louise Asher]] |successor5 = [[Philip Dalidakis]] |party = [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor Party]] |nationality = [[Australian]] |alma_mater = [[Deakin University]] (MPol&Policy) <br /> [[Monash University]] (BA) <br /> [[Chisholm Institute|Chisholm]] (CertBus(Acc) |profession = [[Politician]] |occupation = Electorate Officer <br /> [[Anthony Byrne (politician)|Anthony Byrne]] <br /> [[Jacinta Collins]] |website = {{URL|https://twitter.com/ademsomyurek|Personal Twitter}} {{URL|https://web.facebook.com/ademsomyurekMP/|Facebook}} }} '''Adem Kubilay Somyurek''' (born 25 September 1967 in [[Izmir]], [[Turkey]]) is an [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]] politician serving as Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Small Business in the [[Andrews Ministry]], and has served as [[Victorian Legislative Council|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[South Eastern Metropolitan Region]] since 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpmc.gov.au/consultation/elect_reform/pdfs/sub43SupplementaryB.pdf |title=Parliament of Victoria Electoral Matters Committee |date=2 March 2009 |accessdate=2010-01-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913161855/http://dpmc.gov.au/consultation/elect_reform/pdfs/sub43SupplementaryB.pdf |archivedate=13 September 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> He had previously held the role of Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade in the [[Andrews Ministry]] from December 2014 to July 2015. ==Personal life== Born in 1967 in Izmir, Somyurek moved to Australia with his parents when he was 18 months old. Prior to entering the Victorian Parliament, Somyurek worked as a taxi driver, as a staffer for Labor Senator [[Jacinta Collins]] in 1996 and later in the office of [[Anthony Byrne (politician)|Anthony Byrne]].<ref>{{cite web |title=‘F**k the premier’: Labor’s secret tapes reveal industrial scale stackathon |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/f-k-the-premier-labor-s-secret-tapes-reveal-industrial-scale-stackathon-20200614-p552g2.html |website=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |accessdate=14 June 2020}}</ref> Somyurek holds a Master of Arts in Policy and Politics, a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology and an Associate Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting). ==Political career== Somyurek first entered parliament after winning the Legislative Council province of [[Eumemmerring Province|Eumemmerring]] at the [[2002 Victorian state election|2002 election]].<ref name=lab>{{cite web|url=http://www.alpvictoria.com.au/ALP-People/Upper-House/Adem-Somyurek.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722035114/http://www.alpvictoria.com.au/ALP-People/Upper-House/Adem-Somyurek.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-07-22 |title=Adem Somyürek |work=Labor ALP People |accessdate=2010-01-23 }}</ref> Somyürek made his inaugural speech to the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] as the new member for [[Eumemmerring Province|Eumemmerring]] on 27 February 2003.<ref>A Somyurek, '[http://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/?IW_INDEX=Hansard91-94-NoCommon&IW_FIELD_TEXT=SpeechIdKey%20CONTAINS%20(27February2003-21969-11718)%20AND%20OrderId%20CONTAINS%20(2091463)&LDMS=Y ''Inaugural Speech to Parliament'']', 2003, [[Parliament of Victoria]], retrieved 8 October 2017.</ref> After the reforms that introduced [[proportional representation]] into the [[Legislative Council]], Somyurek won a safe spot on the Labor ticket for the [[South Eastern Metropolitan Region]] and was easily re-elected at the [[2006 Victorian state election|2006 election]].<ref name=lab/> Somyürek was elected in the 2010 and 2014 State elections. In his first term (2002–2006) Somyurek served on the Outer Suburban and Interface Committee, and the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee. In his second term (2006–2010) Somyurek was elected the first chair of the newly constituted Electoral Matters Committee. In his third term (2010–2014) Somyurek was promoted into the Shadow Ministry of the [[Daniel Andrews]]-led Labor opposition.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-look-for-labors-shadow-team-20101206-18mv7.html</ref> Upon election to his fourth term (2014–2018) and the election of the [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor Party]] in Victoria, Somyurek was sworn in as Minister for Small Business, Innovation, and Trade.<ref>[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]],[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-04/daniel-andrews-sworn-in-as-victorian-premier/5935934 ''Daniel Andrews sworn in as Victorian Premier, unveils ministerial portfolios''], 2014, retrieved 28 October 2017.</ref> Mr Somyurek stood down from his ministerial role in May 2015 following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, and later resigned on 28 July 2015 after completion of an investigation by Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.<ref name="Minister stood down over allegations of misconduct made by chief of staff">{{cite news|last1=Tomazin|first1=Farrah|title=Minister stood down over allegations of misconduct made by chief of staff|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/minister-stood-down-over-allegations-of-misconduct-made-by-chief-of-staff-20150523-gh82oh.html|accessdate=23 May 2015|work=The Age|date=23 May 2015}}</ref><ref>http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/adem-somyurek-resigns-as-small-business-minister-after-bullying-investigation-20150728-gilzxb.html Adem Somyurek resigns as Small Business Minister after bullying investigation</ref> He was succeeded by [[Philip Dalidakis]] in the [[Andrews Ministry]]. At the [[2018 Victorian state election|2018 Victorian election]] Somyurek was returned to his seat in the [[Victorian Legislative Council|Upper House]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Results/State2018/South-EasternMetropolitanRegion.html|title = State Election 2018: South-Eastern Metropolitan Region|accessdate = 28 November 2018|website = [[Victorian Electoral Commission|VEC]]}}</ref> On 27 November 2018 [[Premier of Victoria|Premier]] [[Daniel Andrews]] announced that Somyurek would be rejoining the Cabinet in the new [[Andrews Ministry]].<ref>R Baxendale, [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/women-spearhead-daniel-andrews-newlook-cabinet/news-story/c1f94cd8f7af0e3c3f81b7a8ddfd3c38 'Women spearhead Daniel Andrews’ new-look cabinet'], [[The Australian]], 27 November 2018, retrieved 28 November 2018.</ref> On 29 November 2018 it was revealed that Somyurek was to handle the portfolios of Local Government and Small Business within the re-elected [[Daniel Andrews|Andrews]] [[Government of Victoria|Government]].<ref>M Hore & J Dowling, [https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/premier-daniel-andrews-unveils-fresh-cabinet-and-government-department-shakeup/news-story/43b977182faab836506495bfa72dd93c 'Premier Daniel Andrews unveils fresh Cabinet and government department shake-up'], [[Herald Sun]], 29 November 2018, retrieved 30 November 2018.</ref> ===Controversies=== ====2009 driving offences==== Somyurek lost his position as chair of the electoral matters committee in December 2009, as a result of being convicted for driving while disqualified<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/premier-john-brumby-says-no-excuses-for-mp-allegedly-caught-driving-while-disqualified/story-e6frf7jo-1225808994655|title=Premier John Brumby says no excuses for MP caught driving while disqualified |newspaper=Herald Sun|date=10 December 2009|author=Aaron Langmaid}}</ref> The conviction brought to light that Somyurek had been driving whilst disqualified for at least 12 months prior to this conviction, the original disqualification resulting from losing all demerit points on his license for a varierty of offences including speeding and driving while talking on a mobile. {{Quote |text=“It doesn't matter what the circumstances are, what the excuse is, what the rationale is, there is never ever any excuse for driving when your licence has been suspended. Nobody is above the law particularly members of parliament.” |title=Premier [[John Brumby]], in comments to the media about Somyurek's actions |source=<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/premier-john-brumby-says-no-excuses-for-mp-allegedly-caught-driving-while-disqualified/story-e6frf7jo-1225808994655|title=Premier John Brumby says no excuses for MP caught driving while disqualified |newspaper=Herald Sun|date=10 December 2009|author=Aaron Langmaid}}</ref> }} ====2015 behaviour as a minister==== In July 2015, Somyurek was forced to resign from cabinet and his post as Small Business Minister, after investegations into complaints raised by his then Cheif of Staff, Dimity Paul, relating to bullying and abusive behaviour. <ref>{{cite news |title=Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek resigns from Victorian Cabinet following bullying probe |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-28/adem-somyurek-resigns-from-victorian-cabinet-over-bullying-claim/6653516 |accessdate=14 June 2020 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=28 May 2015 |ref=abc-2015-resignation}}</ref> The substanciated complaints regarding Somyurek's behaviour included:<ref name="2015-dpcvic-report">{{cite book |title=Matters concerning the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade |date=21 Jul 2015 |publisher=Department of Premier and Cabinet, Government of Victoria |pages=160 |url=http://media.heraldsun.com.au/files/fullreport.pdf |accessdate=14 June 2020}}</ref> * an incident involving physical contact following a meeting with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Training and Resourcesl; * conduct by the Minister arising in the context of the Minister’s preparation for Question Time; * conduct by the Minister arising in the context of the Minister’s preparation for his appearance before the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on 21 May 2015; and * employment termination by the Minister of Mr Smith, who stood up for another person in Somyurek's office. ====2019-2020 Branch stacking and power broking==== On 14th June 2020 a 12-month joint investigation conducted by [[The Age]] & [[60_Minutes_(Australian_TV_program)|60 Minutes]] was published, presenting evidence including covert recordings and photography, where Somyurek is alleged to have organised illegal branch stacking. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Llanbey |first1=Sumeyya |last2=McKenzie |first2=Nick |last3=Tozer |first3=Joel |title=Calls for investigation into factional powerbroker Adem Somyurek |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/calls-for-investigation-into-factional-powerbroker-adem-somyurek-20200614-p552iy.html |website=The Age |publisher=Nine Entetainment Co. |accessdate=14 June 2020 |date=14 June 2020}}</ref> In its investigation, which included the use of covert audio recordings, Somyurek is alledged to: * Engaged in wide-scale branch stacking, including registration of persons in local party branches with false details and without the claimed individuals having paid for their own memberships - all contary to party rules; * Taking funds from Aloke and Aakash Kumar, owners of the Thornbury Theatre, for the purpose of paying membership due for members identifying as Indian signed up during branch stacking activities; and * Directing and involving ministerial staffers, including Nick McLennan, in the execution and participation in branch stacking activities - all contary to state law. Included in the numerous covert recordings, are several sections where Somyurek is heard making express comments that are derogatory towards multiple people and groups, including members of parliament [[Gabrielle_Williams|Gabrielle Williams]] and [[Marlene_Kairouz|Marlene Kairouz]], women, and persons who identify as [[LGBT|LGBTIQ]]. {{Quote |text=“This is going to be relentless; we're just going to go f**k them. We're just going to go to town. This is f**king war. We've got f**king massive numbers, we've got about 30 going in every week...” |title=<ref>{{cite web |last1=Llanbey |first1=Sumeyya |last2=McKenzie |first2=Nick |last3=Tozer |first3=Joel |title=Calls for investigation into factional powerbroker Adem Somyurek |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/calls-for-investigation-into-factional-powerbroker-adem-somyurek-20200614-p552iy.html |website=The Age |publisher=Nine Entetainment Co. |accessdate=14 June 2020 |date=14 June 2020}}</ref> |source=''Covert audio recording of Somyurek'' }} Sexual Assault Allegations During their investigation, it was revealed that 4 female staff members had approached the ALP in early 2020 about allegations of inappropriate touching and comments made by Somyurek about their breast size and appearance. It is alleged that they were moved to other departments, and no disciplinary action taken against Somyurek. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/details/1593-hon-adem-somyurek Parliament of Victoria – Legislative Council – The Hon Adem Somyurek MP] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20170113001404/http://vicvote.review/council/members/Adem%20Somyurek.html Parliamentary voting record of Adem Somyurek at Victorian Parliament Tracker] {{-}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|au-vic-lc}} {{s-bef |before = Inaugural}} {{s-ttl |title = Member for [[South Eastern Metropolitan Region]] |years = 2006–present }} {{s-inc}} {{succession box | title=Member for [[Eumemmerring Province]] | before=[[Neil Lucas]] | years = 2002–2006 | after=Province abolished }} {{s-off}} {{s-bef |before = [[Louise Asher]]|as = Minister for Innovation and Trade }} {{s-ttl |title = Minister for Small Business,<br />Innovation and Trade| years = 2014–2015 }} {{s-aft |after = [[Philip Dalidakis]] }} {{s-bef |before = [[Marlene Kairouz]] }} {{s-ttl |title = Minister for Local Government |years = 2018-present }} {{s-inc}} {{s-bef |before = [[Philip Dalidakis]] }} {{s-ttl |title = Minister for Small Business |years = 2018-present }} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}} {{Cabinet of Victoria}} {{VicCurrentMLCs}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Somyurek, Adem}} [[Category:1967 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Australian Muslims]] [[Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Council]] [[Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Council for Eumemmerring Province]] [[Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Council for South Eastern Metropolitan Region]] [[Category:Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Victoria]] [[Category:Labor Right politicians]] [[Category:Politicians from Melbourne]] [[Category:Australian people of Turkish descent]] [[Category:Turkish emigrants to Australia]] [[Category:People from İzmir]] [[Category:Monash University alumni]] [[Category:Deakin University alumni]] [[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]'