Operation Watts was an investigation conducted jointly by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the Victorian Ombudsman (VO) into a range of allegations of misuse of electorate office and ministerial office staff and resources for branch stacking and other party-related activities.

These allegations were broadcast on a 60 Minutes report on 14 June 2020 and subsequently reported in The Age newspaper the following day. Mr Adem Somyurek, Member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, was a key focus of the broadcast and published reports.

As stated in the Council Resolution, moved by Mr Somyurek, the (LC) Privileges Committee was required to inquire into and report on matters raised relating to Mr Somyurek, at the IBAC Operation Watts public hearings regarding the use of government resources, including alleged misuse of electoral office and ministerial staff.

This Committee met in early July 2022 to consider the scope of this inquiry arising from the Council Resolution, the challenges of undertaking a Privileges Committee investigation parallel to an extant integrity agency investigation, and the existence and extent of potential limitations to meeting the motion’s Terms of Reference, including the requirement to report by 18 August 2022.

The matters highlighted in this report indicate that Mr Adem Somyurek committed a number of breaches in the performance of his parliamentary duties.