A union revenge plot is behind bullying allegations that forced Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek to resign, he says.

The upper house MP said leaving the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association in February had brought the union's wrath upon his head.

"We knew there would be payback, we had no idea this payback would be so extreme," Mr Somyurek told reporters on Tuesday.




Premier Daniel Andrews asked Mr Somyurek to resign on Tuesday morning after the report found he had grabbed his chief of staff Dimity Paul by the arm and chin, as well as sacking a staff member who stood up for her.

Mr Somyurek denied those allegations.

"It's been a painful two months of sitting silently not being able to profess my innocence," he said.

Mr Somyurek called on SDA-aligned deputy premier James Merlino and the premier's chief of staff John McLindon to step aside from their positions.

He said the government was under the influence of SDA boss Michael Donovan.

A tearful Mr Somyurek said he had lived through his parents being bullied at work when he was a child, and he was passionate about preventing workplace bullying.

Mr Somyurek said if Labor didn't tackle the undue influence of people from outside government it would lose the next election.

"We need to save the government," he said.

He said he had "absolutely" spoken to other members of caucus about the influence the SDA had on the government.

Mr Somyurek also said he had a robust conversation with the premier, Mr McLindon and Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings on Tuesday morning.

"He wanted me to resign, I wanted to be sacked," he said.

Mr Somyurek said he was denied the opportunity to cross examine witnesses and examine electronic records and the report into him was a defamatory "dirt sheet".

The Victorian opposition said the government appeared to be "at war with itself".

"If you can't govern yourself, you can't govern Victoria," opposition leader Matthew Guy said.

"We are watching the Andrews Labor Government fall apart just eight months after coming to power."

The woman at the centre of bullying allegations - Mr Somyurek's former chief of staff Dimity Paul - said she hesitated reporting him because she did not want to be seen as a victim.

"For months I attempted to cope with the conduct," Ms Paul told reporters.

"I didn't report it because I feared doing so would have a detrimental impact on my career and also because I did not want to think of myself as a victim."

"However, when a colleague who stood up for me was asked not to return to work by the minister, I decided I had to say something."

Ms Paul, who sobbed during her press conference, thanked the premier for taking the case seriously.

Her lawyer, Josh Bornstein from Maurice Blackburn, said Ms Paul was not seeking compensation and hoped to return to work as early as next week.

"The allegation that factional issues are at play has been part of a public relations exercise by some factional troglodytes in the Labor Party," Mr Bornstein added.

He said the co-complainant in Ms Paul's action was a member of Mr Somyurek's sub-faction.

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/07/28/12/42/vic-minister-forced-to-resign-report#SibolqVMGZi6vdrL.99



bet you dont read this in The Age

from all reports ..

that woman was a right little undermining B****...

Well done Dan .

Now time for Abbott to do the right thing and sack Bishop...Oh wait, Liberal double standards.

Apologies about the double standards comment.  John Howard sacked his ministers when they did the wrong thing.  I should have said Abbott double standards.  I stand corrected.

Has any violence been proven beyond any reasonable doubt?

the left are SO good at self immolation and cannabilisation


Quote:

Ex-minister Adem Somyurek obviously decided the best form of defence was attack as he launched into an emotional and wide-ranging screed about his forced resignation. To begin, Mr Somyurek denied and then deflected the bullying allegations levelled against him by recounting memories of his migrant parents. His voice wavered as he described watching his mother arrive home in tears after being verbally abused at work. "I don't pay lip service to workplace bullying," he said. "I have lived the experience through my parents." He argued most of the allegations made against him by two former staffers had not been proven. As part of his defence, he conducted a Hansard word search of more than 1000 speeches to prove he had never said aggressive words such as "hopeless". Mr Somyurek said he had held back from telling "his side of the story" for two months after the allegations were first made public. Now he was ready to talk and he was happy to take questions. Over 25 minutes, Mr Somyurek dished the dirt on Labor's internal factional woes, which are now threatening to spill over into open warfare. Standing in the Legislative Council committee room in State Parliament, Mr Somyurek set his sights on some of the government's most powerful figures, including Deputy Premier James Merlino. Earlier that morning, Premier Daniel Andrews had effectively forced Mr Somyurek to resign over bullying allegations against two former staffers, details of which were laid bare in a tough-talking report by former Office of Police Integrity boss Michael Strong. Mr Somyurek fumed that his enforced resignation was a "factional hit". Mr Somyurek took aim at three former factional allies, Mr Merlino, the premier's chief of staff John McLindon and Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association state secretary Michael Donovan. While Mr Somyurek praised the Andrews government, he accused Mr Donovan of exercising "undue influence" and said that must change if Labor were to avoid a one-term defeat. In a statement, Mr Donovan said the matter had nothing to do with the SDA. Mr Somyurek attacked the "grubby" Mr McLindon over his role in The Age stolen dictaphone scandal, seething that his position was "untenable and unjustifiable then" and "untenable and unviable now". He called on Mr Merlino to step down as Deputy Premier, arguing that the position could help improve gender balance and that "a number of strong potential female candidates" would do a better job than the "discredited and conflict-ridden Deputy Premier".

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/adem-somyurek-is-the-mouse-who-roared-the-fury-of-a-minister-scorned-20150728-gimeam.html

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jul 28^th, 2015 at 11:27pm:

the left are SO good at self immolation and cannabilisation Quote: Ex-minister Adem Somyurek obviously decided the best form of defence was attack as he launched into an emotional and wide-ranging screed about his forced resignation. To begin, Mr Somyurek denied and then deflected the bullying allegations levelled against him by recounting memories of his migrant parents. His voice wavered as he described watching his mother arrive home in tears after being verbally abused at work. "I don't pay lip service to workplace bullying," he said. "I have lived the experience through my parents." He argued most of the allegations made against him by two former staffers had not been proven. As part of his defence, he conducted a Hansard word search of more than 1000 speeches to prove he had never said aggressive words such as "hopeless". Mr Somyurek said he had held back from telling "his side of the story" for two months after the allegations were first made public. Now he was ready to talk and he was happy to take questions. Over 25 minutes, Mr Somyurek dished the dirt on Labor's internal factional woes, which are now threatening to spill over into open warfare. Standing in the Legislative Council committee room in State Parliament, Mr Somyurek set his sights on some of the government's most powerful figures, including Deputy Premier James Merlino. Earlier that morning, Premier Daniel Andrews had effectively forced Mr Somyurek to resign over bullying allegations against two former staffers, details of which were laid bare in a tough-talking report by former Office of Police Integrity boss Michael Strong. Mr Somyurek fumed that his enforced resignation was a "factional hit". Mr Somyurek took aim at three former factional allies, Mr Merlino, the premier's chief of staff John McLindon and Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association state secretary Michael Donovan. While Mr Somyurek praised the Andrews government, he accused Mr Donovan of exercising "undue influence" and said that must change if Labor were to avoid a one-term defeat. In a statement, Mr Donovan said the matter had nothing to do with the SDA. Mr Somyurek attacked the "grubby" Mr McLindon over his role in The Age stolen dictaphone scandal, seething that his position was "untenable and unjustifiable then" and "untenable and unviable now". He called on Mr Merlino to step down as Deputy Premier, arguing that the position could help improve gender balance and that "a number of strong potential female candidates" would do a better job than the "discredited and conflict-ridden Deputy Premier". http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/adem-somyurek-is-the-mouse-who-roared-the-fury-of-a-minister-scorned-20150728-gimeam.html

and as predicted (please applaud) The Age puts a completely different - and pro ALP - spin on the story.

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:16am:

and as predicted (please applaud) The Age puts a completely different - and pro ALP - spin on the story.

Yes, a minister was fired for doing something wrong still.  When will it be Bishop's turn?

stunspore wrote on Jul 28^th, 2015 at 9:49pm:

Apologies about the double standards comment.  John Howard sacked his ministers when they did the wrong thing.  I should have said Abbott double standards.  I stand corrected.

John Howard sacked his ministers when they did the wrong thing

The funny thing about that was that he immediately stopped doing it when they worked out that he had done the same thing he was sacking ministers for himself.

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:16am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jul 28th, 2015 at 11:27pm: the left are SO good at self immolation and cannabilisation Quote: Ex-minister Adem Somyurek obviously decided the best form of defence was attack as he launched into an emotional and wide-ranging screed about his forced resignation. To begin, Mr Somyurek denied and then deflected the bullying allegations levelled against him by recounting memories of his migrant parents. His voice wavered as he described watching his mother arrive home in tears after being verbally abused at work. "I don't pay lip service to workplace bullying," he said. "I have lived the experience through my parents." He argued most of the allegations made against him by two former staffers had not been proven. As part of his defence, he conducted a Hansard word search of more than 1000 speeches to prove he had never said aggressive words such as "hopeless". Mr Somyurek said he had held back from telling "his side of the story" for two months after the allegations were first made public. Now he was ready to talk and he was happy to take questions. Over 25 minutes, Mr Somyurek dished the dirt on Labor's internal factional woes, which are now threatening to spill over into open warfare. Standing in the Legislative Council committee room in State Parliament, Mr Somyurek set his sights on some of the government's most powerful figures, including Deputy Premier James Merlino. Earlier that morning, Premier Daniel Andrews had effectively forced Mr Somyurek to resign over bullying allegations against two former staffers, details of which were laid bare in a tough-talking report by former Office of Police Integrity boss Michael Strong. Mr Somyurek fumed that his enforced resignation was a "factional hit". Mr Somyurek took aim at three former factional allies, Mr Merlino, the premier's chief of staff John McLindon and Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association state secretary Michael Donovan. While Mr Somyurek praised the Andrews government, he accused Mr Donovan of exercising "undue influence" and said that must change if Labor were to avoid a one-term defeat. In a statement, Mr Donovan said the matter had nothing to do with the SDA. Mr Somyurek attacked the "grubby" Mr McLindon over his role in The Age stolen dictaphone scandal, seething that his position was "untenable and unjustifiable then" and "untenable and unviable now". He called on Mr Merlino to step down as Deputy Premier, arguing that the position could help improve gender balance and that "a number of strong potential female candidates" would do a better job than the "discredited and conflict-ridden Deputy Premier". http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/adem-somyurek-is-the-mouse-who-roared-the-fury-of-a-minister-scorned-20150728-gimeam.html and as predicted (please applaud) The Age puts a completely different - and pro ALP - spin on the story.

Nothing pro Labor in this except for your spin, just a slightly different report on the incident.

Talking about things like a factional hit etc is actually more anti Labor ?

And another misleading thread title.

Violent Vic ALP Minister forced to resign

Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? These are allegations that have not yet been tested in the courts.

stunspore wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 10:23am:

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:16am: and as predicted (please applaud) The Age puts a completely different - and pro ALP - spin on the story. Yes, a minister was fired for doing something wrong still.  When will it be Bishop's turn?

she is still being investigated by the finance dept...

I thought you guys were all about innocent until proven.. like THOMO..he got over a 12 months vacation and a memorable speech in  parliament.. ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Bam wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 3:40pm:

And another misleading thread title. Violent Vic ALP Minister forced to resign Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? These are allegations that have not yet been tested in the courts.

HA !!!!!!tell that to stunspore and dna...

neither have bishops...

the world of the ALP.. is pretty cutthroat isnt it???...

you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../

not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

who seem to wield massive power from afar..

cods wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 5:33pm:

stunspore wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 10:23am: longweekend58 wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:16am: and as predicted (please applaud) The Age puts a completely different - and pro ALP - spin on the story. Yes, a minister was fired for doing something wrong still.  When will it be Bishop's turn? she is still being investigated by the finance dept... I thought you guys were all about innocent until proven.. like THOMO..he got over a 12 months vacation and a memorable speech in  parliament.. ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

With Bishop it's just a little different ... there's photos and footage of her leaving the chopper, it is known that the event she attended was a Liberal party fundraiser, and the fact that she claimed this extravagant trip is on the public record. With the Labor MP, it's little more than his word against the word of another person.

I do agree though that the allegations need to be tested. Funny though that Bishop's not doing anything to clear her name.

cods wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 5:37pm:

Bam wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 3:40pm: And another misleading thread title. Violent Vic ALP Minister forced to resign Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? These are allegations that have not yet been tested in the courts. HA !!!!!!tell that to stunspore and dna... neither have bishops... the world of the ALP.. is pretty cutthroat isnt it???... you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D who seem to wield massive power from afar..

The factional infighting is being fully exposed in Victoria and Queensland at the moment.

Two stolen election's with fool's fighting for the fat cat's in the unions.

cods wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 5:37pm:

you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar..

The Unions created the ALP, and they continue to run it to this very day.

It's no secret, cods.  The ALP was created by Unions, to represent the workers.

The Unions decide who the candidates are, and they decide who stays or goes.

Why are so many people in this forum so ignorant on these facts, and why do they seem so surprised to hear about Union involvement?

Truly astounding.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:00pm:

cods wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 5:37pm: you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.. The Unions created the ALP, and they continue to run it to this very day. It's no secret, cods.  The ALP was created by Unions, to represent the workers. The Unions decide who the candidates are, and they decide who stays or goes. Why are so many people in this forum so ignorant on these facts, and why do they seem so surprised to hear about Union involvement? Truly astounding.

I think you miss the point .

Most people know where the Labor party originated from and why it existed.

What has happened again to the once great Labor party is it is infiltrated with loony left communist's.

Grass root's labor member's are being shafted left right and centre by the current self centred mob.

If you cannot see this you must be a reciever.

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:06pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:00pm: cods wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 5:37pm: you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.. The Unions created the ALP, and they continue to run it to this very day. It's no secret, cods.  The ALP was created by Unions, to represent the workers. The Unions decide who the candidates are, and they decide who stays or goes. Why are so many people in this forum so ignorant on these facts, and why do they seem so surprised to hear about Union involvement? Truly astounding. I think you miss the point . Most people know where the Labor party originated from and why it existed. What has happened again to the once great Labor party is it is infiltrated with loony left communist's. Grass root's labor member's are being shafted left right and centre by the current self centred mob. If you cannot see this you must be a reciever.

I didn't miss cod's point.

She said: "the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.."

She "seems to" be totally oblivious to how the ALP operates.

There's no "seems to" about it, cods.

The Unions run the ALP.  Full stop.

It's no secret, and it's always been that way.     ::)

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:13pm:

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:06pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:00pm: cods wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 5:37pm: you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.. The Unions created the ALP, and they continue to run it to this very day. It's no secret, cods.  The ALP was created by Unions, to represent the workers. The Unions decide who the candidates are, and they decide who stays or goes. Why are so many people in this forum so ignorant on these facts, and why do they seem so surprised to hear about Union involvement? Truly astounding. I think you miss the point . Most people know where the Labor party originated from and why it existed. What has happened again to the once great Labor party is it is infiltrated with loony left communist's. Grass root's labor member's are being shafted left right and centre by the current self centred mob. If you cannot see this you must be a reciever. I didn't miss cod's point. She said: "the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.." She "seems to" be totally oblivious to how the ALP operates. There's no "seems to" about it, cods. The Unions run the ALP.  Full stop. It's no secret, and it's always been that way.     ::)

Now compare it to the faceless men who run and finance the Liberal party. Who are they? We don't know.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:13pm:

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:06pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:00pm: cods wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 5:37pm: you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.. The Unions created the ALP, and they continue to run it to this very day. It's no secret, cods.  The ALP was created by Unions, to represent the workers. The Unions decide who the candidates are, and they decide who stays or goes. Why are so many people in this forum so ignorant on these facts, and why do they seem so surprised to hear about Union involvement? Truly astounding. I think you miss the point . Most people know where the Labor party originated from and why it existed. What has happened again to the once great Labor party is it is infiltrated with loony left communist's. Grass root's labor member's are being shafted left right and centre by the current self centred mob. If you cannot see this you must be a reciever. I didn't miss cod's point. She said: "the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.." She "seems to" be totally oblivious to how the ALP operates. There's no "seems to" about it, cods. The Unions run the ALP.  Full stop. It's no secret, and it's always been that way.     ::)

Why then did Bill Shorten announce sweeping reform's of the labor party to reduce there influence????

A little sweetner to distract the luvvies.

The man is a liar.

Bam wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:17pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:13pm: labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:06pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:00pm: cods wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 5:37pm: you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.. The Unions created the ALP, and they continue to run it to this very day. It's no secret, cods.  The ALP was created by Unions, to represent the workers. The Unions decide who the candidates are, and they decide who stays or goes. Why are so many people in this forum so ignorant on these facts, and why do they seem so surprised to hear about Union involvement? Truly astounding. I think you miss the point . Most people know where the Labor party originated from and why it existed. What has happened again to the once great Labor party is it is infiltrated with loony left communist's. Grass root's labor member's are being shafted left right and centre by the current self centred mob. If you cannot see this you must be a reciever. I didn't miss cod's point. She said: "the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.." She "seems to" be totally oblivious to how the ALP operates. There's no "seems to" about it, cods. The Unions run the ALP.  Full stop. It's no secret, and it's always been that way.     ::) Now compare it to the faceless men who run and finance the Liberal party. Who are they? We don't know.

Exactly!

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 29^th, 2015 at 9:25pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:13pm: labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:06pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:00pm: cods wrote on Jul 29th, 2015 at 5:37pm: you guys must be really proud of your elected members.../ not forgetting the unelected ones from the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.. The Unions created the ALP, and they continue to run it to this very day. It's no secret, cods.  The ALP was created by Unions, to represent the workers. The Unions decide who the candidates are, and they decide who stays or goes. Why are so many people in this forum so ignorant on these facts, and why do they seem so surprised to hear about Union involvement? Truly astounding. I think you miss the point . Most people know where the Labor party originated from and why it existed. What has happened again to the once great Labor party is it is infiltrated with loony left communist's. Grass root's labor member's are being shafted left right and centre by the current self centred mob. If you cannot see this you must be a reciever. I didn't miss cod's point. She said: "the Unions... who seem to wield massive power from afar.." She "seems to" be totally oblivious to how the ALP operates. There's no "seems to" about it, cods. The Unions run the ALP.  Full stop. It's no secret, and it's always been that way.     ::) Why then did Bill Shorten announce sweeping reform's of the labor party to reduce there influence???? A little sweetner to distract the luvvies. The man is a liar.

We had a PM that was a union lawyer  ;)

I don't get people.  In any large group of people there are bound to be disagreements.  So yeh sure both Labs and Libs have their infights.  So what?

I don't see what the actual issue is. 

Victoria a disaster under Labor and the Greens.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLJIBuDUMAABkVk.jpg

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 30^th, 2015 at 4:39pm:

Victoria a disaster under Labor and the Greens. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLJIBuDUMAABkVk.jpg

True.  The Libs had 50 terms when last in.  Let's get them back. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Vic wrote on Jul 30^th, 2015 at 4:42pm:

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 30th, 2015 at 4:39pm: Victoria a disaster under Labor and the Greens. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLJIBuDUMAABkVk.jpg True.  The Libs had 50 terms when last in.  Let's get them back. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Seem's Victoria is back to the cane/kirner era.