Leaked messages reveal Luba Grigorovitch offered her printer for use, but the Labor MP denies printing was ever carried out
Leaked messages show Victorian Labor MP Luba Grigorovitch told local party members they could use her office printer in a potential breach of parliamentary rules. It comes after a Liberal MP came under fire for doing the same.
Leaked messages have revealed a Victorian Labor MP told local party members they could use her taxpayer-funded printer to produce party-related material, in another possible breach of parliamentary rules.
High‑profile Labor MP Luba Grigorovitch texted the secretary and deputy secretary of her western suburbs Kororoit branch in a group WhatsApp message in February 2023, stating they could print “anything” and that “my office is yours”, in what appears to be a potential breach of strict parliamentary rules.
One of her former branch colleagues has also claimed it was “common” for branch material to be printed from the MP’s office.
It comes days after the Victorian government referred Liberal MP Richard Welch to the Parliamentary Workplace, Safety and Integrity Commission after he admitted to the Herald Sun he offered “same-day” printing services from his taxpayer-funded office to his party’s MPs.
Questioned about her text, Ms Grigorovitch confirmed she sent the message soon after being elected to parliament, but denied any printing was carried out and said: “There’s no truth to any of the claims against me.”
In texts seen by the Herald Sun, Ms Grigorovitch was told branch members wanted to compile a survey on what Labor members wished to learn about in branch meetings.
“That’s’ a great idea! If you need anything printed – my office is your (sic) …”
“Does that rule count for branch stuff?” asked the deputy secretary.
“Yep. I am here to serve the people and the branch!” Ms Grigorovitch replied.
If printing occurred it would be a clear misuse of taxpayer resources and against the tough parliament code of conduct.
On Thursday, Ms Grigorovitch admitted she sent the text but said that she rescinded the offer after seeking advice. She had no proof of the communication.
“As a new member of parliament, following this exchange I sought advice and was made aware this would not be appropriate,” she told the Herald Sun.
“Both individuals on the group chat were then informed of this. Neither the survey referred to in the group chat, nor any other internal ALP material, was printed from my office.”
But former Municipal and Utilities Workers Union president Jennifer Marriott who was secretary of Ms Grigorovitch’s western suburban Kororoit branch of the ALP from April 2022 to December 2023, said it was “common” for branch material to be printed from the MPs office.
“As far as I knew, printing like this out of Labor MP offices was a standard thing and so I assumed it was legal,” she said.
“We had monthly branch meetings and we were always reminded at those about what printing and other work MPs offices could do for the community … it wasn’t until someone raised it as a problem, that I began to worry she has been doing something wrong and against the rules at the office.”
It’s also been alleged Ms Grigorovitch on occasion used her official parliamentary email to carry out party business.
Ms Marriott is suing Ms Grigorovitch in the Supreme Court after she was allegedly assaulted by a branch member in October 2023, prompting her to leave the branch.
She has claimed Ms Grigorovitch did not take appropriate action after the incident.
In 2022, the Labor Party had to pay back $388,000 to parliament after IBAC and Victorian Ombudsman investigation, Operation Watts, found widespread misuse of Labor electorate office staff to campaign, known as the “Red Shirts rort” uncovered by the Herald Sun.
Mr Welch was referred to the integrity commission to be investigated for potential misconduct on Wednesday.
The Victorian government was also approached for comment.
Originally published as Leaked messages reveal Luba Grigorovitch offered her printer for use, but the Labor MP denies printing was ever carried out
