Victoria’s anti-corruption body will investigate allegations of “serious corrupt conduct” by state MPs over the misuse of taxpayer money and branch stacking.
Branch stacking occurs where factions within a political party enrol persons for the principal purpose of influencing the election outcome of local branches. It also occurs when political party members enrol people who are not genuine members.
Utilising what is called “warehousing,” branch stacking is often hidden away by utilising fake addresses for those signing up to the Australian Electoral Commission, and then once they are accepted, moving them to different district branches.
While not illegal in Australia, most political parties view the practice as controversial because it usually involves illegal acts of forgery, falsification of documentation, and even the intimidation of party members.
In the case of Somyurek, 60 Minutes and The Age allege that he targeted ethnic groups, such as the Indian community, by registering and paying for Australian Labor Party (ALP) memberships in exchange for their support of his candidates.
Somyurek, who was a member of the ALP national executive—the governing and policy-making body of the ALP—is alleged to have wanted to use branch stacking to become a powerbroker within the Australian Labor Party.
Somyurek has denied the branch stacking allegations.
IBAC’s Commissioner Robert Redlich said the Victorian community rightly expects public funds to be used appropriately and for all public officers to adhere to parliamentary standards and processes.
“As part of our focus on preventing corruption, the public hearings will also consider whether the current systems and controls are sufficient to protect the integrity of the expenditure of public funds for ministerial and electorate office staff and the making of community grants, and examine potential systemic issues, including opportunities to strengthen associated governance, transparency and accountability arrangements,” Redlich said.
Administrators’ Final Report
Among the recommendations include changes to the Victorian branch rules, such as introducing membership payments by traceable means.
Bracks and Macklin were appointed as administrators of the Victorian branch of the ALP following reports of Somyurek’s alleged branch stacking.
On Sept. 14, 2020, changes were made by the National Executive to deal with members responsible for branch stacking, including the power to charge a member with a breach of the branch stacking rules and to revoke the membership of a member.
“The changes to the Victorian Branch Rules (‘the Rules’) recommended in this Report will enable greater engagement of Party members and enliven grassroots activity. They will introduce standards of governance and assurance of the highest calibre. Our members deserve nothing less,” Bracks and Macklin said.
Currently, there is a suspension of all votes for ordinary members of the Victorian branch of the ALP in preselections until 2023.
