It’s the Adem Somyurek show! Grab the popcorn as it’s a riveting affair. We have been waiting for him to show up and he didn’t hold back. He came to conquer, and he does. Even with his long-winded answers, he got his point across. Anthony Byrne is the mastermind behind the branch stacking. It has been a staple for decades. John Brumby, Stephen Conroy, Lisa Neville, and the gold standard man himself, Daniel Andrews.
Adem keeps it up with agreeing that most of those who have appeared before IBAC have told the truth. The factions have been playing against each other for a piece of the pie. But once you have reached that pinnacle of the upper crust, you must toe the party line, or you are out.
Memberships are paid for, factions are fought over, new electorates are created to overcome more factional ideals. He started his political career at the same time as Dan Andrews. They both wanted power, they both got it. Adem didn’t stop. He explained how the member’s guide contravened the Parliamentary standards. But that didn’t matter. Even with the Ombudsman’s report into the red shirts rort, the Labor caucus still did what they did. Utter contempt for our democratic process.
And it was not just the south-east they played with; Geelong got a mention as well. And Holt! Holt was a dirty electorate.
So much factional wars, corrupt dealings, and the fact that they think it’s ok to spend money on party politics, which goes against the terms of correct governing. Even the Liberal party knew and turned a blind eye.
Adem is here all week. I am sure he has a lot more to say. Until tomorrow, where more dirt will be laid, and hoping that the commission calls up the Premier.
There will be no moments of “I don’t recall” as the evidence is before the commission and there will be no lying his way out of this.
