The Melbourne University graduate also worked in commercial real estate and financial planning before becoming an MP and member of the Labor Unity faction representing the party’s Right.
Watch live:Luke Donnellan has quit the Labor ministry after federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne told a public anti-corruption hearing the Victorian Aged Care Minister had paid for people’s party membership as part of a branch-stacking operation.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission will investigate allegations of “serious corrupt conduct” and misuse of public money by serving and former Labor politicians.
Victoria’s anti-corruption commission will hear evidence during a four-week investigation into branch stacking about how public grants to ethnic groups were used for political purposes.
The commission can only launch an inquiry if it “reasonably suspects corrupt conduct has occurred” and it tends to hold public hearings only if it has gained evidence of wrongdoing.
Clare Burns,who led the party with the strong support of former powerbroker Adem Somyurek,wants to take her state secretary job back after giving birth. But large sections of the party are resisting her return.
Hearings would embarrass the Andrews government by exposing allegations that taxpayer resources were rorted by Labor kingmakers to obtain political power within the party.
Judges have nominated agenda-setting investigations,top quality journalism and stunning pictures from The Age for this year’s awards.
Lawyers for former cabinet minister Marlene Kairouz say the MP’s livelihood and reputation are at risk if Justice Tim Ginnane does not grant an interlocutory injunction.
What unfolded in March last year has cost Kairouz her place in Daniel Andrews’ cabinet and killed off the political aspirations of Labor kingmaker Adem Somyurek.
Former cabinet minister’s lawyers tell Supreme Court the appointment of administrators Steve Bracks and Jenny Macklin – and their decisions – are ‘null and void’.