LABOR frontbencher Kelvin Thomson has resigned from his position over revelations that he provided a reference to a notorious Melbourne underworld figure so he could obtain a liquor licence.
Mr Thomson quit the shadow ministry today after it was revealed he gave the reference in 2000 to “Fat” Tony Mokbel, who has fled overseas with $20m from his drug empire.
Mr Thomson claimed he did not know Mokbel but his office had provided the reference - the full text of which is visible at the bottom of this story - as a matter of course, based on information given to them that Mokbel had no criminal record over the previous eight years.
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said Mr Thomson had made the correct decision in resigning.
"It is unacceptable for a person to be shadow attorney-general and the first law officer of the commonwealth (and) to have provided a letter of support of this nature,'' Mr Rudd told reporters in Sydney.
"That is also Mr Thomson's view.''
More from Mr Rudd's press conference here.
It’s understood Mr Thomson will remain in Parliament but no longer serve in the shadow ministry.
"I tendered my resignation to (Opposition Leader) Kevin Rudd this morning,'' Mr Thomson, the MP for Wills, told reporters in Melbourne.
Mr Thomson said he was only made aware of the letter on Tuesday.
He said he was not resigning from the Labor Party and planned to remain the Labor candidate for his seat in this year's election.
Mr Thomson gave a copy of the letter to reporters in Melbourne which describes Mokbel - a fugitive linked to some of the city's bloodiest crime wars - as a "responsible, caring husband and father''.
"As a result of his business and property ventures, Mr Mokbel is making a significant contribution to the community and employing a substantial number of people,'' the letter says.
Mokbel fled overseas a year ago while he was on bail during a trial for cocaine importation.
He was convicted in his absence and was sentenced to at least nine years' jail.
Last month he was also charged with the murder of drug syndicate patriarch Lewis Moran, who was gunned down in 2004 in the front bar of the Brunswick Club in Sydney Road, Brunswick.
Mokbel's current whereabouts are unknown, but he is believed to be overseas, probably in Lebanon.
The issue of association with criminals has come to the fore in recent weeks after the government attacked Mr Rudd for three meetings he had with former West Australian premier and convicted fraudster Brian Burke in 2005.
But the attack backfired when Human Services Minister Ian Campbell was forced to resign from cabinet after it was revealed he had a 20 minute meeting with Mr Burke.
Mr Burke's dealings with the state Labor government in Western Australia are the subject of Corruption and Crime Commission hearings.
The text of Mr Thomson's letter of reference.
To Whom It May Concern,
I have been asked to provide a reference on behalf of Mr Tony Mokbel of 25 Grandview Avenue, Pascoe Vale South, who will be submitting his application for a liquor licence to the Liquor Licensing Commission.
I understand that Mr Mokbell (sic) has been married for the past eight years and has two children. I further understand that over the past eight years he has been a responsible caring husband and father.
Mr Mokbel has in partnership purchased a number of business properties in the Brunswick area. As a result of his business and property ventures Mr Mokbel is making a significant contribution to the community and employing a substantial number of people.
I urge you to take into account Mr Mokbel's last years of unblemished conduct, his commitment to family and his successful establishment as a local businessman in making your decision concerning his application.
Your sincerely,
Kelvin Thomson, MP
Member for Wills
