By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
SMALL Business, Innovation and Trade Minister Adem Somyurek has resigned.
Premier Daniel Andrews this afternoon announced he accepted the resignation after receiving an inquiry report into allegations of Mr Somyurek bullying and intimidating his chief-of-staff Dimity Paul.
Three reports on the allegations – an overall report by the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, a report by former County Court judge Michael Strong and a review into the minister’s office by former Education Department secretary Peter Allen – have been publicly released today.
In a statement, Mr Andrews said the report by Mr Strong made “deeply concerning” findings against Mr Somyurek – who has been based in Dandenong as a South Eastern Metropolitan MP.
“The Minister’s behaviour, as outlined by Mr Strong, is unacceptable.”
It found that the former minister “caused distress to staff and adversely affected their well being”, Mr Andrews said.
It also found the evidence of the complainants was more reliable than Mr Somyurek’s, he said.
When the inquiries were launched in May, Mr Somyurek labelled the formal complaint lodged by his chief-of-staff Dimity Paul as “completely baseless and untrue”.
He has not responded to the Journal’s inquiries.
