Victorian MP Adem Somyurek has resigned from the Labor Party as it prepared to boot him out, after being sacked from cabinet by Premier Daniel Andrews over branch-stacking allegations.
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But two ministers whose staff have been accused of assisting branch-stacking efforts will keep their jobs while the state's corruption watchdog and Victoria Police investigate the explosive claims.
Mr Andrews told reporters on Monday he sacked Mr Somyurek following the allegations, contradicting the former minister's claim he resigned.
"Mr Somyurek was not offered an opportunity to resign - he's not worthy of an opportunity to resign," Mr Andrews said.
"His conduct and his comments are completely deplorable, they are shameful, and it is on that basis that there is no place in my government for him."
The premier wrote to the national executive of the Australian Labor Party seeking the termination of Mr Somyurek's membership, a move supported by federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese.
The national executive met at 12.30pm to address the request, but Labor's national president Wayne Swan confirmed in a statement afterwards that Mr Somyurek resigned.
Mr Swan said the committee took "further steps to ensure that there will never be a place for Mr Somyurek in the ALP ever again".
"The ALP National Executive takes these matters incredibly seriously, and will be responding to the wider issues raised over the last 24 hours in the coming days," he said.
An investigation by The Age and 60 Minutes alleges the upper house MP handed over thousands of dollars in cash and used parliamentary employees to create fake branch members and amass political influence within the ALP.
Mr Somyurek denies the stacking allegations and wants police to investigate the recordings used in the expose.
Mr Andrews has referred the allegations to the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption commission and to Victoria Police.
In the recordings, Mr Somyurek labels Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams a "stupid bitch" whom he will "f***ing force ... out of the ministry".
He also describes the young staffers helping him as "patronising and annoying", and "little passive-aggressive f***ing gay kids".
Mr Somyurek apologised for the language used against Ms Williams and the "highly valued and exceptional young people who are members of the LGBTI community".
In a statement, Ms Williams said that "words matter".
"No matter who you are, no one deserves to be threatened and abused in this way," she said.
It has been alleged staff members of Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Marlene Kairouz and Veterans Minister Robin Scott have been involved in Mr Somyurek's efforts to boost party memberships.
Mr Andrews said the ministers have assured him they have "at all times behaved appropriately" and won't have to stand down while investigations are underway.
"Based on the assurances provided by both of those two ministers, they will continue in their duties," he said.
Australian Associated Press
