Tara Murray
Residents in the Kororoit electorate will have a new MP following next year’s state election, with the Labor Party preselecting Luba Grigorovitch as its candidate.
The party voted on Monday to preselect Ms Grigorovitch as its candidate for the next election ahead of current Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz.
Ms Kairouz has been the member for Kororoit since 2008.
Ms Grigorovitch, secretary for the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, said before the preselection process that she was excited by the challenge.
“I believe that my record speaks for itself,” she said.
“I am not afraid to put in a hard day’s work, I thrive on helping people and listening to others.
“As a leader, whether that be in the workplace or the community, I like to join people around me on a journey and encourage all to get involved.
“I have a good understanding of the electorate and if successful I am determined to do all that I can as the local member, for as long as I am there.
“I want to represent a community where equality of opportunity and outcomes thrive for people in full measure, where the best quality education, services and amenities are freely available, where decent work is there for all who want it and where people enjoy the best possible conditions of employment.”
Ms Grigorovitch has spent her whole life in the west, having grown up in Altona Meadows.
She became a member of the ALP when she was 14 and was on Hobsons Bay council between 2008 and 2013, including deputy mayor for one year.
She also worked for former Altona MP Lynne Kosky.
In recent times she has been the secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, having held a number of roles in the organisation.
“I passionately believe that Labor is at its best when it strives to achieve progressive reform and ensure the economic security of all working Victorians.
“I look forward to supporting Premier [Dan] Andrews and his team… Fighting everyday to help empower all working people and build a fairer society,” she said.
“The RTBU afforded me many opportunities which have taught me a great deal, for this I will always be thankful. Some of these include being elected and sitting on the International Transport Federation Urban Transport steering committee and also the national body of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Executive for varied periods.
“I owe a lot to the RTBU and the opportunities that came from my time at the union, however I am also thankful to the ALP and have learnt a great deal from the many honorary positions I have held within the party at varied times in my 22 years of ALP membership.”
Meanwhile, Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly is making the switch to the new seat of Laverton, which takes in part of Brimbank.
MORE TO COME.
