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Victorian Labor leader under fire over leaked recording of former premier Victorian Labor leader under fire over leaked recording of former premier
(35 minutes later)
The Sunday Age newspaper has demanded the Victorian opposition leader, Daniel Andrews, reveal whether his staff listened to a leaked recording of a conversation between one of its journalists and former Liberal premier Ted Baillieu.The Sunday Age newspaper has demanded the Victorian opposition leader, Daniel Andrews, reveal whether his staff listened to a leaked recording of a conversation between one of its journalists and former Liberal premier Ted Baillieu.
It has called on Andrews to disclose when he became aware that senior Victorian ALP officials allegedly took a dictaphone from lost property after it was dropped by journalist Farrah Tomazin at the Labor state conference in May; and when he learned that the ALP had sought legal advice on releasing the recording.It has called on Andrews to disclose when he became aware that senior Victorian ALP officials allegedly took a dictaphone from lost property after it was dropped by journalist Farrah Tomazin at the Labor state conference in May; and when he learned that the ALP had sought legal advice on releasing the recording.
On the recording, Baillieu is heard attacking his colleagues and some of their "crazy mates" for their anti-abortion stance. On the recording, Baillieu is heard attacking his colleagues including the independent MP Geoff Shaw, upper house Liberal MP Bernie Finn and his "crazy mates" for their anti-abortion stance.
An online link to the conversation was later emailed to hundreds of Liberal party members by a person claiming to be a fellow Liberal.An online link to the conversation was later emailed to hundreds of Liberal party members by a person claiming to be a fellow Liberal.
Pressure has been building on Andrews to answer questions about the recording since the Age alleged on Friday that it was a senior ALP official who took the dictaphone.Pressure has been building on Andrews to answer questions about the recording since the Age alleged on Friday that it was a senior ALP official who took the dictaphone.
The Sunday Age alleges tensions are now simmering within the Labor party over Andrews’s handling of the issue and apparent unwillingness to investigate how its contents were leaked.The Sunday Age alleges tensions are now simmering within the Labor party over Andrews’s handling of the issue and apparent unwillingness to investigate how its contents were leaked.
The Herald Sun alleged on Saturday that Andrews's chief of staff, John McLindon, listened to the recording weeks before it was made public. Labor has not answered questions about whether McLindon listened to the tape, but has denied his involvement in obtaining or distributing it.The Herald Sun alleged on Saturday that Andrews's chief of staff, John McLindon, listened to the recording weeks before it was made public. Labor has not answered questions about whether McLindon listened to the tape, but has denied his involvement in obtaining or distributing it.
Baillieu told the Sunday Herald Sun Andrews had to address the allegations.Baillieu told the Sunday Herald Sun Andrews had to address the allegations.
“There are lots of questions to be answered but the starting point is for Mr Andrews to answer the questions that have been addressed to him," he said.“There are lots of questions to be answered but the starting point is for Mr Andrews to answer the questions that have been addressed to him," he said.
“He can’t hide.”“He can’t hide.”
Baillieu told Channel 7 he had no regrets about making the comments on the tape, on which he also criticised those he thought had hampered community services minister Mary Wooldridge’s bid for the seat of Kew.Baillieu told Channel 7 he had no regrets about making the comments on the tape, on which he also criticised those he thought had hampered community services minister Mary Wooldridge’s bid for the seat of Kew.
“It was a private conversation, I don’t regret private conversations,” he said.“It was a private conversation, I don’t regret private conversations,” he said.
His remarks echoed comments from the Liberal planning minister, Matthew Guy, who said many questions remained unanswered by Labor.His remarks echoed comments from the Liberal planning minister, Matthew Guy, who said many questions remained unanswered by Labor.
“If Labor cannot be honest on this matter with Victorians … then how can we have any faith in anything they say between now and November?” he said.“If Labor cannot be honest on this matter with Victorians … then how can we have any faith in anything they say between now and November?” he said.
The Victorian state election will be held on 29 November.The Victorian state election will be held on 29 November.
On Friday, Andrews said The Age's claims that Labor was involved in the leak were "wrong and untrue, and they have been referred to our lawyers", and dissemination of the tape was "100% an internal Liberal party matter".On Friday, Andrews said The Age's claims that Labor was involved in the leak were "wrong and untrue, and they have been referred to our lawyers", and dissemination of the tape was "100% an internal Liberal party matter".
"The distribution of that material was conducted by the Liberal party to the Liberal party and it is them that should answer for that, not anyone else," he said."The distribution of that material was conducted by the Liberal party to the Liberal party and it is them that should answer for that, not anyone else," he said.