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Labor MP Luba Grigorovitch will no longer provide character references after admitting she gave them for six people “I now know I shouldn’t have”, including a domestic abuser and a predatory taxi driver.
Grigorovitch on Monday said she regretted six of the 33 character references she had given since being elected in 2022, and conceded her vetting processes had been below standard.
Her reference review comes after The Age revealed last week that Grigorovitch gave a reference for Muhammad Issa, a 40-year-old taxi driver who had been jailed for preying on women during late-night trips more than a decade ago.
Grigorovitch said she had known Issa for several years and “can confidently attest to his character, integrity, and contribution to the Australian community”. Issa was denied citizenship by the Administrative Review Tribunal, where he also admitted Grigorovitch was unaware of his past offending.
The Australian Financial Review then reported that the now minister for youth, carers and volunteers, also gave a character reference for a Pakistani man convicted of domestic violence, who was seeking to remain in Australia on a partner visa.
On Monday afternoon, Grigorovitch admitted she had provided a further four character references to people she should not have, without providing details of their pasts.
“Since I became the member for Kororoit in 2022 I have provided references for people looking for work, rebuilding their lives, finding housing and applying for citizenship,” Grigorovitch said in a statement.
“It has become clear to me in recent days that my processes for these checks was not strong enough and not to the standard Victorians would expect.
“As a result, I have assessed there are six references I have provided to individuals that I now know I shouldn’t have, including two that have already been reported on.
“At the time I provided these references, I was not aware of their history. I will no longer provide character references and I apologise for any offence I have caused.”
Before being elected, Grigorovitch was the state secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union from 2014 to 2022. When appointed a cabinet minister in April, Grigorovitch had to address her links to former CFMEU boss John Setka.
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Angus Delaney is a reporter at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.From our partners
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