Thread by @PoliBard

Almost time for the #IBAC hearings to start again. This will be the live tweeting threat for #OpWatts. Will be using the following abbreviations:
CR - Commissioner Redlich
CA - Council assisting
W - Witness (Rick Garotti)
WC - Witness council

Waiting for the stream.....

And we're off and racing! The commissioner now going through the formalities with the Witness and his council.

Today's witness is the former mayor of Banyule council, and I think we're going to hear more about ethnic branch stacking today via the Somali association
#OpWatts

And it's question time! And some boring questions to the witness about the summons. Number 2021187. So presumably that's summons 187 issued in 2021. Interesting. I presume that's all IBAC matters, not just #OpWatts

The issue of redaction of parts of the stream is now being brought up by CR and the witness is asking about how to go about bringing that up.

That's a frustrating part of these hearings, we often don't get insight into why a certain redaction happened.
#OpWatts

CA is now reviewing the personal history of the witness. Joined ALP around 2002-2003.
Can't recall when he became actively involved, believes 2005-2006. He became active with the Labor unity faction(right) which contains sub factions.
#OpWatts

CA asks if he was the most senior, non MP figure of the group. Witness states very senior is fair, not sure about most.
CA asking about positions held within the party. He's been a busy boy, held lots of party positions.
CA now honing in on admin committee(membership?)
#OpWatts

Witness now describes moving to Parliamentary Office Selection Committee, and then returning to the admin committee.
CA now asking about the Heidelberg branch. Witness confirms he was on the executive there, moved to Watsonia, then back to H'berg.
#OpWatts

CR interrupts to ask the Witness age, he's 36.
CR offers that the witness has been a very busy boy. PB concurs!
Now it's on to Somyurek questions. Witness believes he first met him in 2012. CA - same faction as you? W - yes.
#OpWatts

CA now asking about relationship with Somyurek. Witness describes it as a slow building relationship over time, based on factional matters.
CR now intervenes to ask at what point the witness considered himself a "senior operator" within the party
#OpWatts

Witness can't say exactly, but it was after meeting Somyurek, and he estimates ~2019.
CR now pursuing positions held in detail, and asking about POSC function.
POSC comes from state delegates, and is about determining pre-selection, with branches.
#OpWatts

So in short, POSC is where you do "party stacking" and combined with branch stacking, you wield enormous power over pre-selection, as they determine candidates based on 50/50 voting from branch & POSC.
#OpWatts

CA asking if witness considers Somyurek a mentor, specifically in relation to strategies.
Witness agrees, it was "something that evolved" which is a common theme among witnesses so far.
Somyurek provided #FactionSchool to witness, basically.
#OpWatts

CA - Did you consider this as an apprenticeship on a path towards becoming an MP?
W - Agrees that's reasonable.
CA asks about contact with Somyurek recently, and witness says it's been just a few times since he resigned from ALP(this year)
#OpWatts

CA now asking about contact and relationship with Hussein Haraco, witness due Wed/Thurs this week.
Witness states that he had regular contact during his time with the ALP, but limited contact since resigning.
CA now moving on to the topic of the day - branch stacking
#OpWatts

Witness states that he was aware of branch stacking since the first time he joined.
CA asks if it was embedded in ALP culture, witness agrees.
CR intervenes to ask how witness became aware.
Witness says it was after learning about factions in details.
#OpWatts

Witness discusses hearing about branches being controlled, people being big recruiters and such.
Witness agrees with CR that branch stacking is a well accepted part of the ALP, and that it extends to all factions.
CR asking about other factions now.
#OpWatts

Witness now describing that from the talk within the party, it seemed obvious that branch stacking was going on in all parties, but has no direct evidence/knowledge of it.
CA now back to technical matters about admin and the MAC.
#OpWatts

Sounds like there was at times some friction between admin and MAC over certain decisions about membership.
CA asks about the "red flag" of a sudden bunch of new member applicants turning up to branch meetings, witness agrees this happened time to time.
#OpWatts

CA asks if the witness ever took part in branch stacking, witness agrees. CR intervenes to clarify that witness means activity in breach of ALP rules, witness agrees.
Witness agrees to providing money to pay for others memberships.
CA wants to know amounts.
#OpWatts

Witness states that he personally covered branch meeting costs, and also paid for membership renewals.
Approximately $5k for past 5-6 years. Witness also nominates Haraco as paying $2-3k for renewals, from personal money, from his understanding via conversations.
#OpWatts

CR intervenes again to clarify that venue costs funding done by the witness was or wasn't in breach of rules.
Witness states he doesn't believe it was in breach of rules.
Now we're drilling down to the $5k figure, and it's for both branch costs and memberships.
#OpWatts

Witness believes it's around $2k in branch costs, $3k for memberships/renewals.
Was a combo of new memberships, membership fee assistance.
CA wants clarification if any "assistance" was ever paid back, witness states "no" for the majority of cases.
#OpWatts

CA now asking about recruiting of members, legit or otherwise.
Witness says from Heidelberg area, and a significant(majority) from the Somali community.
CA asks if witness was introduced to that community? Witness says no, he just chaired the meetings.
#OpWatts

CA asks who brought these Somali members and it's Dr Haraco according to the witness.
CA asks is it fair to say witness was running a branch stacking operation across Melb's Northern suburbs. Witness disagrees. Says it's accurate regarding Heidelberg branch.
#OpWatts

Witness says he was aware of other operations but wasn't involved directly.
CR now asking about the witness professional occupations, and when he found the time for factional activities.
Witness agrees he was full time occupied, and mostly worked after hours for party.
#OpWatts

CR drilling down to ask if others were doing activities and feeding him information, witness agrees that Haraco was doing this, and was his main contact.
Witness had occasional contact with other branches, but heavily involved with Heidelberg via Haraco.
#OpWatts

CA now asking about other branches. Darebin Arabic branch, Turkish branch in Scullon, Coolaroo branch, Keilor Park branch, Glenroy branch nominated by the witness.
CA now asking for names of people involved. I'm not even going to attempt to spell these. #Transcript
#OpWatts

CA asking about Sisterin Unal?(SU)
W - He ran a turkish branch, even turkish speaking branch in Scullin. A sizeable branch. Witness professes very literal knowledge apart from being asked to keep an ear out occasionally for membership application progress.
#OpWatts

And we're having a brief break due to audio problems, which will probably be the usual 10 minute break they take during the morning session. Will be back shortly!
#OpWatts

And we're back, hopefully with clean audio.
CA asking about turkish branch stacking, and being asked to "keep an eye out" for membership applications in progress.
CA puts it that the witness knew SU as a strong player and recruiter, the witness agrees.
#OpWatts

CA asking about SU's daughters and did they work for Robin Scott? Witness says he was only aware of 1 daughter, and is not aware of how that employment came about.
CA asks about a pattern of factional allies employed in MP's offices.
Witness says all factions do it.
#OpWatts

Witness describes this nepotism as part of the culture and factional system.
CA asks about conflict of interest training witness has received, he agrees he's done some.
CA asks about concerns of the witness at family members being employed factionally.
#OpWatts

Witness just puts it down to "culture of the party" and didn't see it as abnormal.
Sounds like a lot of these roles weren't even advertised for the most part, were clearly used as factional currency.
CA asks if witness took advantage of this culture.
#OpWatts

Witness agrees to "recommending Haraco" to members of Parliament.
CA - Did you suggest Haraco was doing good work and needed to be looked after?
W - reasonable statement.
CA now asking same question again.
W - "Yes"
CA now specifically mentioning factional "currency"
#OpWatts

CA asking how witness understood that was the culture.
Witness says by being involved in the party, didn't seem to be a secret.
CA puts it that witness saw other people being "looked after" and that led to his own suggestion to look after Haraco, witness agrees.
#OpWatts

CA now asking for other examples, witness provides an example of a staffer given a job at Kairouz office. CA asks if Yigit is another example, witness agrees.
CA asks if witness was aware of these being rewards for factional activities.
Witness claims not sole reason.
#OpWatts

Witness says in case of Yigit, he was well qualified to do the job given, and did a good job(as an electorate officer)
CA now asking if witness followed the evidence from last week. Witness says some effort was made, but not all of it because of "the stress of all this"
#OpWatts

CA now describing the "flavour of the evidence" from last week. Tasty!
CA specifically mentions the amount of public time spent on factional activities, and asks if the witness was surprised by this evidence. Witness agrees it wasn't surprising.
#OpWatts

CA continues, pushing that the witness was well aware part of the culture was factional activity performed on public time, and that the witness knew of this before IBAC evidence came to light, witness also agrees with this.
#OpWatts

CA now asking about Haraco's activities, and work at Somyurek's office. Witness understands he was employed there, and attended there, but doesn't know exactly what work he did at that office.
CR intervenes to ask about factional work, witness doesn't know.
#OpWatts

Witness concedes he could have been doing factional work, assumes he probably did, but rarely discussed that work in any detail with Haraco.
CA now asking for details about discussions between witness and Haraco.
#OpWatts

Witness doesn't have specific details, seems they had general conversation only. But admits it seemed that there wasn't a lot of electoral duty to be performed.
"He worked for Adem" is probably a good summary of what Haraco was doing, by the sound of it.
#OpWatts

CA now moving on to Nasih Elasmar(NE)
W - He was in the Darebin Arabic branch. No direct knowledge, but suspects he may have been covering membership costs for some of that branch.
CA asking if there was a culture of senior party members self funding their support?
#OpWatts.

Specifically, would they fund members they joined or arranged to be joined to the party. Witness agrees with this statement about acquiring the knowledge/expectation of needing to pay for their own members.

Witness link is frozen, we're on a 5 minute break.
#OpWatts

And we're back, and the witness is on the phone, and now he's not, and audio seems restored now. Here we go.....
CA back to the expectation of senior members paying for memberships, and how was the witness told about this.
#OpWatts

CA puts it that the witness saw this and was told about this in order to understand "this system" and the witness agrees. CA puts it that given the money involved, the knowledge of this is "the way" must have been definite, witness agrees.
#OpWatts

Witness does not want to nominate a specific person or time when this knowledge was acquired. "It's the vibe" seems to be the situation, and I wish somebody would drop that phrase, it's absolutely the time to do it.
#OpWatts

CR intervenes to describe "non genuine members" from the Bracks/Macklin report and clarify with the witness.
Now CA is on to asking which specific members contributed to party membership payments.
Witness nominates 2 people, but doesn't have direct evidence.
#OpWatts

CA puts it that witness has previously made a statement that "in this faction, we all self fund" and the witness is "happy to own it."
CR intervenes to ask if witness knew there were non genuine members in other northern suburbs branches.
Long pause, then witness agrees.
#OpWatts

CA now asks how the witness obtained knowledge of the funding used to pay for non genuine memberships.
Witness describes just general conversations where it became apparent.
CA now asking specifically about conversations with Somyurek.
#OpWatts

Witness cannot or will not be specific, so CA asks about "the flavour" of those conversations.
CR intervening again now, recalling to earlier evidence about state conference, etc. He puts it that having an organisational structure means it was organised. Witness agrees
#OpWatts

CA now asks the witness about running a northern suburbs operation, witness disagrees, says that each branch took care of itself.
Witness does agree to being a "liason point" esp with regard to membership tracking.
#OpWatts

CA is now trying a different angle, arguing the witness organised all the northern suburbs memberships through central admin. The witness disagrees, stating that branches did that, and he monitored after the fact.
(Not yet clear if CA running an angle here)
#OpWatts

Witness is describing himself as an overseer of sorts, and a liason, and CA seems to want to pin down just how big a cog the witness is with this line of questioning. Witness is playing the humble card to a large extent.
Definitely a facilitator of BS at the very least.
#OpWatts

CR intervenes to ask about a loose hierarchy of control for "the factional north" and that the witness occupied a senior position. The witness agrees, but restates he doesn't seem himself as in control of those branches.
CR wants to know specifics of hierarchy.
#OpWatts

Witness describes himself as mid level, with MPs being the upper level of all structure. Elasmar, Scott and Brooks(MPs) described as the top level of the mod right faction in the north.
CA asks about very top of the chain.
Witness describes Somyurek as at the very top.
#OpWatts

CR gets cranky because he didn't mention that, witness apologises, says he was focusing on "the north" where Somyurek wasn't located, but that at factional level, Somyurek was the very top.
CA - you said Somyurek wasn't involved in the North, but he was?
W - yeah.....
#OpWatts

Witness elaborates that Somyurek wasn't involved in day to day operations, but strategies absolutely. CR now pursuing that Somyurek had people from his office in the MAC and was very controlling. Witness agrees, he's a bit rattled at the moment.
#OpWatts

CA now moves on to Kairouz, witness describes a slight relationship, including helping her once with a by election, but "she was more west" and so out of area
CA - Fair to say Kairouz was in charge of the west?
W - Yes
CA - What's your knowledge of how the west operated?
#OpWatts

Witness clarifies that it's regarding mod right faction, CA agrees. Witness now detailing various areas and people under control of Kairouz. Kaushaliya Vaghela gets another mention(she's gunna feel some heat sooner or later, seems right in the thick of it)
#OpWatts

CA asks about methods and operation of branch stacking in the west, Witness says he presumes it would be similar to the way the north did it.
CA asks if the witness ever described activities in the north as "my operations?"
Witness says may have, but prob. "show boating"
#OpWatts

Witness is very insistent to lay claim to liaison role rather than any kind of kingpin role.
CA now refers witness to his statements in a document, and the witness confirms he's spoken in terms of "my operations" but definitely "Showboating"
#OpWatts

CA refers to a witness statement "I expect the SL to holdover the following from my operations" referring to 63 specific memberships.
(CA definitely running an angle, he's had "my operations" up his sleeve and wanted the witness to trip himself up)
#OpWatts

CA pushing that the witness is acting like he's at a level of other factional players, such as Nick McLennan, based on this email he's confronting the witness with. Seems to be a reasonable argument. CA now pushing that the witness was a bigger player than he's let on.
#OpWatts

(LOL, the poor guy is floundering now, he's anti showboating to IBAC, and trying to explain he was showboating to party members, and I think it's just dawned on him.)
Both CA and CR pushing him now to define his position, relative to other players.
#OpWatts

CR still part of the interrogation for now, which usually when the witness isn't providing clear evidence. He's not going to let this issue of the witness's seniority go without further explanation.
#OpWatts

CA now asking if the witness was making attempts to try and impress Somyurek, and create an appearance that "it's all happening in the North"
CA - you understood that Somyurek was in a position where he could organise pre-selection for you
Witness - yes
#OpWatts

CA - did you have any specific conversations about it?
W - yes
CA - Did Somyurek give you any indications of what you might need to undertake to achieve pre-selection
W - "Work on your CV" which seems to revolve around "grow the party" and so, "factional activities"
#OpWatts

CA - You knew of expectations, what was the source of that knowledge
W - Somyurek
CA wants to know what specifics he was asked to provide.
W - Not specifically told (basically sounds like "prove your factional loyalty" was at play here)
#OpWatts

CR intervening again to put to the witness that he was demonstrating he could "play the party game"
(He's definitely on my wavelength, the CR, although he's been very quiet about Red Shirts today, disappointed)
CR now asking about Bracks/Macklin report findings
#OpWatts

CR is going item by item to clarify which of the issues identified by Bracks/Macklin that the witness was involved in. He's steering clear of the ones with legal implications, but admits to rule breaching ones.
CR asks about his period on the MAC now....
#OpWatts

....did you approve knowingly of non genuine members, and the witness agrees.
CR goes on to ask if the reports conclusion that there was no effective governance of party membership is reasonable, and the witness agrees.
CA now revisiting "providing of membership funds"
#OpWatts

Witness - "such as?" (LOL, dangerous territory)
Witness agrees to paying for memberships, and at times lodging the forms.
CA now asking about the collection of membership forms from non genuine members, and any short cuts that might exist (Fraud accusation coming up)
#OpWatts

Witness acknowledges that a short cut might be filling out forms within the party rather than the members doing it.
CA states that getting a bulk batch of membership forms would be useful, witness agrees.
Witness says that branches could ask for pre-prepared forms.
#OpWatts

Witness says that this process could apply to genuine or non genuine members.
CA puts it that genuine members would likely fill in and return their own forms.
Witness - most would, but some may not. Gives example of illiterate member who they assisted via prep'd form.
#OpWatts

CA states correctly that these forms were still mailed out, and didn't need requesting.
Witness claims many members would often lose forms in the 5 months between receiving (early Jan) and renewal deadline (May 31)
CA pushes pre-filled forms = BS, witness agrees.
#OpWatts

Now CA asking if witness obtained forms for his branch only, or for other branches. As branch sec he could apply for his own forms, but he did get them for other branches and pass them on, and is claiming that as "liaison activities" again, via admin privileges.
#OpWatts

CA now producing an email from the witness.
Now getting asked about Aidan? from within the email. Witness asked for renewal forms across a number of FEAs.
CA - this wasn't a genuine request, was it?
W - Nah....
CA - this was to enable renewal of non genuine members?
#OpWatts

Witness reluctantly agrees that's the case.
CR now intervenes to ask who asked the witness to do that?(I think we all know)
He states he was clearly doing it for the faction, but won't say who.
CA now pushing the point, "Who asked you?"
CR intervenes "don't guess"
#OpWatts

Witness trying to recall the specifics, he can't remember if he did it from his own volition or as a specific request, as it involved areas outside "the north"
CR now diverting to ask how his appointment to the admin committee came about, as it enabled this form farming
#OpWatts

Witness states that Somyurek asked him to nominate.
CR pushes that the witness was known as the go to person. Witness states he was "a" go to person.
CR asks if other factions behaved in a similar fashion, witness believes that's the case.
#OpWatts

Witness states that because this request was honoured, it's standard practise in the labor party.
CA asks why DeBrouin (Kairouz COS) was cc'd, and we're into factional orgs now. Convenors and secretaries. DeBroiun was a factional secretary.
#OpWatts

CA now asks why DeBrouin's non work email was used for this communication. Witness says "you wouldn't want to use a work email"
CR asks why that is, but the witness is claiming in this case, he's always communicated with DB via gmail, known him a long time.
#OpWatts

CR asking the witness not to be naive, and be clear about why work emails would be avoided. Witness states that it could be a misuse of a public resource, and also may avoid potential scrutiny by not being in the parliament email system.
#OpWatts

CA clarifies that private emails being used for factional business was a normal culture, and witness agrees.
CA also pushing that there was a "fear/understanding" by party members that this email thing was improper.
Witness agrees for himself at least.
#OpWatts

CR intervenes to clarify that point, and the witness agrees it's his position, and he couldn't comment on the motivation of others.
CA back to Haraco again, and how he got appointed. Puts it to the witness he wasn't opposed to "rewards for factional activity"
#OpWatts

Witness is waffling again, and CR is clarifying the situation. In short, factional good behaviour was rewarded with public sector employment, that was normal, but witness believes Haraco was a good worker.
#OpWatts

CR - "RedShirts" (Me: 😍😍😍😍😍)
CR asks the witness about awareness of it, and if the #RedShirts matter had any impact or damping effect on factional activities within the party, and the witness says not really.

And we're done for now, it's lunchtime! Back in an hour.
#OpWatts

And we're back!! And straight into the Bracks/Macklin report (BMR going forwards)
CA is asking about warehousing of members, where people were put on the membership database with false addresses to manipulate branch numbers.
Witness wasn't initially aware, but later was
#OpWatts

Specifically this refers to members joining at one branch, then transferring to another branch via admin channels. Witness was aware of members moving around in his northern region. Didn't seem suspicious at the time. Didn't track sign ups or transfers.(Hmmmm)
#OpWatts

Witness suggests this might be a matter for Haraco to be questioned about. Says that there were a lot of Somali members and were a highly transient community, and may have been legitimately relocating. Can't be specific.
#OpWatts

CA pushes that the witness has knowledge now of this activity going on, but not at the time, and the witness agrees, referring to the complaint against him by the party, presumably from the BMR.
CA now asking about a specific transfer, Gorton to McEwan?
#OpWatts

CA asking about Somyurek showing an interest in taking over McEwan, and was warehousing done to facilitate this? Witness is playing dumb on this one, presumed he was not being misled, didn't probe for details himself.
#OpWatts

CR now asking about the "regular practice of warehousing" and was it opposed at the MAC by other factions?
Witness says it never came up at the MAC, but the MAC was focused on new members and paid little attention to transfers.
#OpWatts

CR now asking about the practice of comparing membership details to the electoral roll, and asks was this done for transfers, witness says he believes it wasn't done.
CA now asking if this roll checking being done had frustrated Somyurek, as it impacted "warehousing"
#OpWatts

CR intervenes to ensure the witness understands he was involved in warehousing. CA takes this and puts it to the witness he was aware of warehousing.
Witness says he's not aware of Somyurek intervening to stop MAC from doing electoral roll checking for transfers.
#OpWatts

Witness states at the time he believes transfers were legit, but looking back with context, it looks dodgy.
We are now examining an email from the witness to Somyurek. Mentions ballot collections, Haraco, and the Yan Yean branch secretary.
#OpWatts

Seems to be a direct campaign to take control of a branch by Somyurek allies. CA puts it that it's difficult to get people on the executive if the branch is hostile to that faction, and hence the need for warehousing. The witness agrees with this proposition.
#OpWatts

CR now laying out how warehousing can work: It's to avoid new member limits at a particular branch, by adding members to another branch still below it's monthly admission limits, then transferring them to the "at limit" branch, to avoid the new member sign up limit.
#OpWatts

CR puts it that this could occur via either deception by a new member, or a factional operative, to get a false address member on the membership database.
Witness says he's unsure that's exactly how it happened, but has that appearance, matter for Haraco(next witness)
#OpWatts

CR now referring to warehousing examples identified by BMR, where non genuine members were involved.
CR wants to know which factional operative would have facilitated this, and the Witness nominates Haraco.
CA now pushing that witness saw red flags.
#OpWatts

Seems that some of the new members identified as residing at "PO Box 82" and I'm sure CA has the receipts for that claim.
Witness is playing dumb again, not paying attention to details of applications or transfers.
Claims many legit transfers were happening.
#OpWatts

LOL, CA now bringing the PO box back, he wants the witness to comment on it. "is it the SACOV address?"
That's the Somali Australia Council of Victoria, apparently.
CA now puts it that the Witnesses applications were always very thorough. Witness agrees.
#OpWatts

CA wants to focus on new membership forms. And is asking about how the witness reviewed them. The witness says he reviewed the forms for details relevant to the executive function, but not looking in any detail.
CA isn't having this.
#OpWatts

CA now asking about if the witness noticed a pattern that PO boxes were often given rather than a real address. Witness begrudgingly concedes that. He was "focused on the suburb"
Witness admits this is as failure of his role.
#OpWatts

CA now asks about witness familiarity with SACOV, and if they ever had assistance from him with grant applications.
CA asks "including drafting applications?"
W - possibly
CA - but you didn't pick up the PO box address replication on m'ship forms?
W - no.....
#OpWatts

CR now wants to revisit the email/text used earlier, and teh 11 ballots mentioned and "Hussein is 100% focused on Cooper"
CA puts it that it can't be 11 new members, as that's beyond the monthly limit. Witness agrees.
Witness describes the 11 as friendlies plus transfers
#OpWatts

CA puts it that this communication is an update to Somyurek on his take over bid for McEwan branch, witness agrees. CR intervenes to ask what the ballots are for, witness says it's for branch executive elections.
CA puts it that the confidence means they were transfers.
#OpWatts

Witness seems to be suggesting it could be current and previous transferals.
Regarding the "Hussein/Cooper" comment the witness can't recall what that's about in any detail. He can't remember "what's at stake if we fail" at all.
CR intervenes again.
#OpWatts

Draws his attention to "things good at my end" and suggests to the CR that the witness has previously discussed strategies with Somyurek, and it's an update on actions previously planned, and the witness agrees this is a fair characterisation.
#OpWatts

CA asks if that's a fair summary of "how things worked" between the witness and Somyurek, and the witness agrees.
CR now back to warehousing again for clarification.
Mentions BMR report and the contemporary "branch stacking model" and "non genuine members" addresses.

#OpWatts

CR clarifies it was done by members joining with false addresses, and also transferring to false addresses. Witness agrees
CR asks if the witness agrees that the BMR focused on the activites of paid factional operatives, and excluded the role of MPs, electoral staff, etc
#OpWatts

CR seems to be suggesting that the BMR was hamstrung by this lack of jurisdiction, and given the witnesses understanding of the mechanics of branch stacking, invites him to agree, and he does.
(WOW, did not see that coming. Quite a polite rubbishing of the BMR)
#OpWatts

Sorry, I just got interrupted because netflix isn't working downstairs, and I lost track a bit. Something, something Nazim, well looked after. Seems to be back to an old story of factional loyalists being given public service jobs in electoral offices as rewards.
#OpWatts

Now we're onto "centralising ballots" which is collection of ballots from non genuine/participatory members to be filled out according to factional wishes in a central fashion. The witness says genuine or not, the benefit is from their votes. Cynical.....
#OpWatts

The witness states that it's preferable to obtain ballots uncompleted, and make sure it's completed properly. CA asks if it happened in the North, and the witness is about to say "yes" in several paragraphs....
(He's not doing himself any favours, this bloke)
#OpWatts

Now we're getting an example of the returning officer in Jaga Jaga who insisted on ballots being filled in on site in electoral offices, for state conference delegates, but they could have assistance.
For Nat conference, ballots were expected to be filled in & mailed.
#OpWatts

However in practice, these ballots were collected in blank status, centralised, and filled out by factional operatives. The Witness was not present for the 2018 Nat conf voting, and didn't witness this happen as he was on secondment to Shepparton, but was aware of it.
#OpWatts

Now CA asks about ballot reissues, and the unusual number requested. Witness claims no direct knowledge of this.
CA asks about the reissue process, witness is familiar.
CA asks if he knows it was done on occasion by factional operatives, witness confirms.
#OpWatts

CA wants to know if this was a process generally across moderate Labor factions, witness agrees and says he believes it happened in other factions also.
CR intervenes to ask about direct knowledge of other factions doing it.
Witness believed it was very commonplace.
#OpWatts

CA still pushing on reissue of ballots, witness says there are unremarkable reasons for doing so.
(It's very hard to follow this witness, he jumps all over the place, if i was CA I'd start asking very specific questions and pull him up immediately when he deviates.)
#OpWatts

"I have 5 POSC ballots sitting at home, what do I do with them?" Well that's an interesting question to Somyurek. Apparently they were later collected by DeBruin and filled out in Kairouz office.
CA - Why would it not be surprising to you this happened at Kairouz office
#OpWatts

Witness states that it's standard practice to fill out ballots in electorate offices, which lines up with earlier IBAC hearings.
CA now coming back to Haraco, and confirms witness evidence Haraco didn't have much electoral office work to do. Witness agrees.
#OpWatts

LOL "I'm being as honest and forthcoming as I can" - said every person ever who's trying to testify as little as possible.
Witness says he has a vague understanding that Haraco was probably doing factional work in Somyurek's office as an electoral officer, but no proof.
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CA - Are you aware of a relative of Haraco's obtaining employment via Somyureks office? Witness says she was working part time in the ministers office, and she didn't apply for it.
CA asks how much trouble the witness went to to arrange this. Witness advocated for her.
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Witness claims Somyurek stated he had a position available, and the witness just happened to know someone. CA now asks if he wants to revise that picture. Look out Rick, receipts inbound.
Now the witness thinks he might have suggested the applicant first, he's waking up
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(how CA isnt laughing I'll never know)
CA puts it that the witness put her forward to Somyurek, with an expectation she would do factional work. And now he's reading the witnesses own words to him from somewhere. Here it comes........
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Not sure if they are going to show the exhibit, but the plan was to put Dr Hussein's daughter into the Broadmeadows office with an expectation she would do factional work, supporting recruitment activities.
Witness getting a severe memory jogging now 😂
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CA asks if there was any pushback from Somyurek over this suggestion, and the witness says there wasn't.
CA puts it that it's another example of "Factional patronage" and the witness agrees.
CR - supported via taxpayer funds
w - yes, that's clear
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The witness agreeing that it's factional culture and embedded, and hence unremarkable.
Wow, CA postulating that the witness didn't care whether Hussein or his daughter went on the books, as long as the family got some more taxpayers money. The witness can't argue with it
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Further on there is more discussion of whether AB(Byrne) can chip in half a day.
"He's doing a lot of work, needs to be supported"
(That's Labor buying votes with YOUR money in black and white, people)
Also mention of work in Kairouz office, which AS could pull off.
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(Whether they eventually get around to other factions is unclear, but at this point, the moderate right faction of Labor is utterly COOKED)
The witness was completely fishing around any and every public office to try and get the daughter a public sector paycheck.
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Witness being asked about relationship between Byrne and Somyurek, witness claims he understood they were close, and that's why he suggested employment in Byrne's office was a possibility.
CR now asks witness of any knowledge about Byrne's factional activities.
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Witness says that Byrne was the only federal MP in the factional group, but Somyurek was the factional director. He understood Byrne was the "quiet advisor" behind Somyurek, due to his seniority and experience.
CR asks "regarding factional activities?"
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Witness believes that this was the case, but wasn't well associated with Byrne, and can't provide specifics.
CR offers the witness an opportunity for a ten minute break now due to substantial matters remaining, but the witness is happy to continue.
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Now we're back to Mr Yigit. CA asks about a request from the witness for up to 3 days a week for Hussein's daughter. And provides a response from Somyurek "let's see how Burhan(Yigit) is going."
CA puts it that AS would have control of Yigit's electoral office staffing
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Witness agrees this was not a surprising response. (i believe Yigit ran unsuccessfully for parliament)
Witness says that Kairouz, Scott, Byrne and Somyurek were the power brokers of the faction, but Somyurek ran the show, and could pull staffing appointments like these.
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CA asks for another exhibit now, page 1074 of whatever.
"Does doctor still have 2 days in the EO now, or is that gone now that daughter is looked after?"
CA puts it that these people are interchangeable as currency. Also finds it strange witness is the middle man
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CA puts it that this is a clear example of knowledge of state money being channelled to reward factional activity. Witness agrees.
Second part of message "Is Robin(Scott) open to us recruiting Somalis into his branch in Batman or do I need to work through Nazih/Alison?"
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CA puts it that Nazih & Alison are the factional officers of the Batman branch, and witness agrees.
CA asks about the duties of Alison, confirms she was a speech writer, and had electoral duties, and claims she was a legit electoral officer.
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CA puts it Alison also did factional work and the witness agrees.
Now "I'm really comfortable that my team is well looked after. Thank you for this, couldn't do it without you. Can you now focus on getting things underway in the North" is mentioned, but stream suspended.
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And we're back again!
CA asks "is it improper for MPs to intervene in discussions on how public money is spent to reward their allies? It's classic conflict of interest, isn't it?"
Witness agrees
CA reminds witness he's been COI trained. W - Yes
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CA asking about Byrnes evidence of the need to keep allies onside. Witness says he didn't see much of Byrnes evidence, but agrees with the statement.
CA "You'd accept it's improper for an MP to intervene to reward branch stackers"
W - yes, improper for an MP to intervene
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CA clarifies again that it's improper for an MP to intervene to direct employment as a reward for factional activity, with help from the CR, and the witness agrees.
CA - equally improper to seek out an MP to ask them to do that? Witness guessing @ what evidence CA has 😂
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Back to text msg exhibits now, not keeping the witness in any suspense. Subject: SACOV
Asking about VMC funding issues with SACOV, which seems related to grant applications earlier. Seems Labor was grabbing public funds from everywhere.
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CA puts it SACOV lost funds, passed on to Haraco, passed on to Garotti, who put the question to Somyurek about chasing it up via parliamentary connections.
Seems greasing the wheels had multiple layers.
CA puts it Haraco could have contacted VMC directly. Witness agrees.
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Seems that Haraco was looking for a reason for funding denial. Witness says that he didn't believe Somyurek or Scott could obtain a change of decision.
CA pushes it seems no decision has been made yet, and the situation is to try and guarantee a positive outcome
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Witness is unsure, and assumes the messaging is about funding denied, rather than funding not yet allocated. So not so much a decision overturn, but a decision hurry up was in play.
CR intervenes to point out AS replied immediately with "Scott not in parliament"
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Witness playing dumb again, CA and CR definitely exploring a ministerial interference angle here by Somyurek to direct funds to the VMC as part of looking after the troops.
Now CA is asking about another (paid?) position for Haraco.
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"If so (a paid position) we should put an application in for Haraco"
CA asks why would they be putting this application in.
Witness offers "he'd be a good candidate" but also admits "factional patronage" would be satisfied by this appointment.
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CA puts it that by saying "We should do this" it puts the focus more on factional patronage as the reason.
Witness agrees, CR intervenes again for clarification.
CA sums up with "you can explain it, but you can't justify it" and the witness agrees with that.
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CA puts it again as "looked after because of their factional work" and the witness concurs.
Another text exchange gets brought up now, pg 1030.
CA asks about a paid appointment to the Coronial Council of Victoria wrt Dr Haraco.
Witness asks Somyurek follow up wth Pakula
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(Several people including myself have noted that Pakula seemed nervous since IBAC started, now we know why)
CR now brings up another IBAC investigation regarding Casey Council.(Operation Sandon, dodgy property dealings within Casey Council.)
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And that's it for the day!! Mr Garotti remains under summons and will complete his evidence tomorrow starting at 10am(10.30 for the stream)

Thanks everybody for following, and I will post a summary of todays evidence shortly.
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