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On a clear autumn day just before noon one of the most powerful politicians in Victoria drove into a suburban shopping centre car park, got out of his four-wheel-drive and walked briskly to an ATM. He used two bank cards to withdraw a wad of cash.
Wearing a dark blue sweater, balding and slightly paunchy, Adem Somyurek strode towards the shopping centre as if on an ordinary grocery run. But he then spun around and walked back to his car. He drove to the furthest parking spot, opposite a Red Rooster.
With the money stuffed into a blue folder along with Labor membership forms, the state cabinet minister waited for the handover. His bagman Nick McLennan, a senior adviser to another of Premier Daniel Andrews’ ministers, was on his way. After arriving, McLennan made his way to Somyurek’s car, leant into the driver’s side window and took the folder filled with $50 notes.
McLennan then drove off under instructions to deliver the forms and cash to ALP head office.
Among the most extraordinary things about this cash exchange, which took place on May 13 and is secretly captured on tape, is that for Somyurek, it was not unusual. Even more extraordinary is the way this former taxi driver has amassed his immense political power – not just in Victoria but at federal level.
Credit:Photos: Jason South
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An investigation by The Age and 60 Minutes has unearthed dozens of phone and video recordings captured over 12 months that provide an unprecedented insight into Somyurek’s operation. Beneath the bravado and deal-making of a chronically ambitious politician is a self-described "stackathon" that has funnelled hundreds of fake members into local ..
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