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'{{short description|Turkish Australian politician and Victorian State Minister}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Adem “Scammer” Somyurek | honorific-prefix = [[The Dishonourable]] | 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 = Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] | constituency1 = [[South Eastern Metropolitan Region|South Eastern Metropolitan]] <br> {{small|([[Eumemmerring Province]] until 25 November 2006)}} | term_start1 = 30 November 2002 | term_end1 = | office2 = [[Minister for Local Government (Victoria)|Minister for Local Government]] | premier2 = [[Daniel Andrews]] | term_start2 = 29 November 2018 | term_end2 = 15 June 2020 | predecessor2 = [[Marlene Kairouz]] | successor2 = [[Danny Pearson (politician)|Danny Pearson]] | office3 = Minister for Small Business | premier3 = [[Daniel Andrews]] | term_start3 = 29 November 2018 | term_end3 = 15 June 2020 | predecessor3 = [[Philip Dalidakis]] | office4 = Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade | premier4 = [[Daniel Andrews]] | term_start4 = 3 December 2014 | term_end4 = 27 July 2015 | predecessor4 = [[Louise Asher]] | successor4 = [[Philip Dalidakis]] | party = [[Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)|Labor]] (until 2020) | otherparty = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2020–present) | nationality = [[Australian]] | alma_mater = [[Deakin University]] (MPol&Policy) <br /> [[Monash University]] (BA) <br /> [[Chisholm Institute|Chisholm]] (CertBus(Acc) | profession = [[Politician]] | website = {{URL|https://twitter.com/AdemSomyurek|Personal Twitter}} {{URL|https://www.facebook.com/ademsomyurek/|Facebook}} }} '''Adem Kubilay Somyurek''' (born 25 September 1967 in [[Izmir]], [[Turkey]]) is an Australian politician. He has served as a member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] representing [[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 |access-date=2010-01-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913161855/http://dpmc.gov.au/consultation/elect_reform/pdfs/sub43SupplementaryB.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> Somyurek was a member of the [[Australian Labor Party]] (ALP) until 2020, when he resigned to sit as an independent. He served twice as a government minister, as Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade in the [[First Andrews Ministry]] from 2014 to 2015 and as Minister for Local Government and Minister for Small Business in the [[Second Andrews Ministry]] from 2018 to 2020. In June 2020, Somyurek became the subject of major corruption allegations including [[branch stacking]] during the 48th Victorian Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adem Somyurek quits Victorian Labor Party after 60 Minutes airs allegations of branch stacking, offensive language |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-15/victorian-labor-minister-adem-somyurek-sacked/12354870 |work=ABC News |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref> ==Personal life== Born in 1967 in [[Izmir]], Turkey, 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 federal MP [[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 |access-date=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 |access-date=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/> Somyurek 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 but lost the position in December 2009 as a result of being convicted for driving while disqualified.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|author=Aaron Langmaid|date=10 December 2009|title=Premier John Brumby says no excuses for MP caught driving while disqualified|newspaper=Herald Sun|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/premier-john-brumby-says-no-excuses-for-mp-allegedly-caught-driving-while-disqualified/story-e6frf7jo-1225808994655}}</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 variety of driving offences.<ref name=":0" /> In his third term (2010–2014) Somyurek was promoted into the Shadow Ministry of the [[Daniel Andrews]]-led Labor opposition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/new-look-for-labors-shadow-team-20101206-18mv7.html|title=New look for Labor's shadow team|first=David|last=Rood|date=6 December 2010|website=The Age}}</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> Somyurek stood down from his ministerial role in May 2015 following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, and later resigned on 28 July 2015 after an investigation by the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet found he had bullied his chief of staff, Dimity Paul.<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|access-date=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><ref>{{cite news|date=28 May 2015|title=Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek resigns from Victorian Cabinet following bullying probe|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-28/adem-somyurek-resigns-from-victorian-cabinet-over-bullying-claim/6653516|access-date=14 June 2020|ref=abc-2015-resignation}}</ref> He was succeeded by [[Philip Dalidakis]] in the [[First Andrews Ministry|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|access-date = 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 [[Second Andrews Ministry|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> ===''The Age''/Nine recordings=== On 14 June 2020, ''[[The Age]]'' and [[Nine Network]] released covert recordings purporting to show Somyurek organising [[branch stacking]]. In its investigation, Somyurek is alleged to have registered local party members with false details, taking funds from business owners to pay for party membership fees, and directing ministerial staffers with branch stacking activities.<ref name="auto">{{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 Entertainment Co. |access-date=14 June 2020 |date=14 June 2020}}</ref> Included in the numerous covert recordings, are several sections where Somyurek is heard making derogatory comments towards MPs [[Gabrielle Williams]] and [[Marlene Kairouz]] and ministerial staffers, which have been described as sexist and homophobic.<ref name="auto" /> {{Quote |text=“This is going to be relentless; we're just going to go fuck them. We're just going to go to town. This is fucking war. We've got fucking massive numbers, we've got about thirty going in every week...” |title=<ref name="auto"/> |source=''Covert audio recording of Somyurek'' |author=}} Following the release of recordings, on 15 June 2020, Premier Andrews sacked Somyurek from [[Second Andrews Ministry|his cabinet]] and referred Somyurek's conduct to [[Victoria Police]] and the [[Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission]] for further investigation.<ref>{{cite web |title='Terminated': Andrews sacks Somyurek, Albanese moves to kick him out of party |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/adem-somyurek-resigns-from-cabinet-20200615-p552lp.html |website=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref> Andrews also wrote to the [[Australian Labor Party National Executive|National Executive]] of the [[Australian Labor Party]] (ALP) to seek the termination of Somyurek's party membership. Later that day, the Labor Party's national president, [[Wayne Swan]], confirmed that Somyurek had resigned his membership, adding that Labor's National Executive Committee had taken further steps to ensure there would "never be a place for Somyurek in the ALP ever again".<ref name="alpres">{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-15/victorian-labor-minister-adem-somyurek-sacked/12354870|title=Adem Somyurek quits Labor Party after 60 Minutes airs allegations of branch stacking, offensive language|work=ABC News|date=15 June 2020|access-date=15 June 2020|language=en-AU}}</ref> ===IBAC investigation=== Somyurek has been a target of investigations by Victoria's [[Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission]] known as IBAC. He has been a person of interest into matters around allegations of branch stacking in Victoria. IBAC is holding public hearings during October 2021 into allegations of serious corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers, including Members of Parliament. The hearings are part of Operation Watts, a coordinated investigation between IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman, which is looking into a range of matters including allegations of 'branch stacking' aired in media reports in 2020<ref>[https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/investigating-corruption/IBAC-examinations/operation-watts Operation Watts] Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, Retrieved 11 October 2021.</ref> On the first day of hearing on 11 October 2021, federal Labor MP and former ally of Somyurek [[Anthony Byrne (politician)|Anthony Byrne]] claimed that Somyurek "had been coercing staff for at least two years and had threatened to "take people out" of pre-selections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-11/ibac-victorian-labor-party-luke-donnellan-anthony-byrne/100528586|title=Victorian Labor minister Luke Donnellan quits over IBAC allegations of branch stacking|publisher=ABC News|date=11 October 2021|access-date=11 October 2021}}</ref> ==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-non|reason=Region created}} {{s-ttl |title = Member for [[South Eastern Metropolitan Region]] |years = 2006–present }} {{s-inc}} {{s-bef|before=[[Neil Lucas]]}} {{s-ttl | title=Member for [[Eumemmerring Province]] | years = 2002–2006}} {{s-non|reason=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 = 2018–2020 }} {{s-aft|after=[[Danny Pearson (politician)|Danny Pearson]]|rows=2}} {{s-bef |before = [[Philip Dalidakis]] }} {{s-ttl |title = Minister for Small Business |years = 2018–2020 }} {{s-end}} {{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:Independent 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]]'