Victorian Minister Regrets Character References for Taxi Driver and Iran Supporter
Victorian minister regrets character references for taxi driver and Iran supporter as the controversy over her endorsement of individuals with violent pasts intensifies. Luba Grigorovitch, a minister in the Victorian government, has publicly apologized after it was revealed she authored 33 character references for people with documented histories of domestic violence, sexual assault, and political affiliations, including a taxi driver convicted of indecently assaulting female passengers and a supporter of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The focus keyword appears prominently in the opening paragraph, ensuring immediate relevance for search engines.
Unaware of Past Offenses
Grigorovitch’s statement on Monday highlighted her regret over providing character references for individuals whose histories were not fully known to her. She admitted that since becoming a member for Koroit in late 2022, she had written references for about 33 people, some of whom had been involved in serious crimes. “I will no longer provide character references, and I apologize for any offense caused,” she said, underscoring her awareness of the flaw in her process.
“At the time I provided these references, I was not aware of their history. My process is not good enough, and that is why I’ve come here today and I’ve apologized and said that I should not have provided a character reference,” Grigorovitch stated.
Among those she vouched for was Muhammad Isa, a former taxi driver who assaulted female passengers in 2013, and a Pakistani citizen, CYNW, convicted of family violence. Grigorovitch claimed she had known Isa for “several years” and could “confidently attest to his character, integrity, and contribution to the Australian community.” Her admission of regret for character references aligns with the growing scrutiny of her decisions.
Tribunal Rejects Appeals
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) recently upheld its decision against Isa, noting that Grigorovitch had been “unaware of his past offending” when she wrote his reference. The tribunal criticized the minister for her lack of due diligence, emphasizing that the character references were given without proper investigation. “The ART rejected his appeal due to serious past crimes and continuing lack of acceptance of responsibility,” the decision highlighted.
In CYNW’s case, the ART confirmed Grigorovitch had provided a character reference, though specific details of the individual’s offenses were not outlined. This further underscores the broader issue of her character references process, which has been described as hasty and insufficient. The minister’s regret for character references is now central to the public debate about her credibility.
Additional References and Political Context
Further details revealed that Grigorovitch had also written references for a man with domestic violence convictions, another individual fined for selling illegal goods, and an immigration reference for someone who had appeared before Melbourne’s magistrates’ court. She even authored a “letter of support” for a man believed to be aligned with Khamenei. These character references, including for individuals with histories of violence, have raised questions about her judgment.
Grigorovitch explained that she had accepted the individuals as “volunteers within the community,” assuming their good standing without verifying their affiliations. “I should have done more before giving those character references,” she admitted, acknowledging the process was flawed. Her explanations also included the possibility that some of the people she referenced might be Labor members, though she was not aware of their union connections.
Leadership Response and Political Backlash
During question time on Tuesday, Premier Jacinta Allan defended Grigorovitch, stating she had “no confidence” in her ministers’ awareness of individuals’ backgrounds. “I have confidence in all of my ministers,” Allan said, though this did little to quell the backlash. Critics argue that the minister’s regret for character references was insufficient to address the public’s concerns about accountability.
“If this government had any integrity, [Grigorovitch] would be sacked,” said James Newbury, the shadow attorney general, who had previously criticized her appointment due to her ties with John Setka, a former CFMEU leader.
Newbury argued that the character references were only appropriate in “exceptional circumstances,” such as for former employees, and called Grigorovitch’s actions “further proof she was not fit to be a minister.” His remarks reflect the growing pressure on the Victorian minister to demonstrate a stronger commitment to addressing her regret for character references.
Previous Ties and Public Scrutiny
Grigorovitch, a former state secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), was elevated to the cabinet in April 2023. Her background in labor unions has drawn attention to the potential conflict between her political role and her previous connections. The recent scandal over her character references has intensified public scrutiny, with critics pointing to her history as a factor in the current controversy.
