Speculation mounts over Labor plot to topple Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan

Speculation is mounting that Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan may soon face a leadership spill.

Furious Labor MPs have sounded the death knell for the embattled premier, according to several media reports, and warn a challenge could take place before the November state election, amid fears of a mass unseating.

There are rumblings Allan could be toppled as premier within weeks.

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Labor sources say the widespread disaffection reached breaking point after it emerged Allan’s newly promoted Minister for Youth Luba Grigorovitch had written many dubious character references.

She was found to have provided references for 33 people, including for a taxi driver convicted of assaulting female passengers, men accused of family violence and a supporter former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Grigorovitch apologised for writing the references and said she was “not aware of their story”.

“I will no longer provide character references and I apologise for any offence I have caused,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

Allan defended her minister during question time and repeated that Grigorovitch was “not aware of their backgrounds”.

“I have confidence in all of my ministers,” Allan said.

Labor MPs are said to be concerned over a One Nation wipeout come November, with the growing party thought to pose a bigger threat than Jess Wilson’s Liberal Party.

Pauline Hanson flagged an orange wave could descend on Victoria following her party’s success in the Farrer by-election and South Australian election, telling nine.com.au the state is “screaming out” for One Nation.

“A lot of our new membership is coming out of Victoria,” Hanson said.

“People actually want representation in Victoria from One Nation.

“They’re screaming out for it. They’re crying out for it.”

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Victorian parliament will return on June 16 before winter break on July 28.

It is believed this could be the last window of opportunity for a leadership challenge against Allan.

Allan emerged unscathed from similar speculation over a spill in March, labelling her naysayers as “scallywags”.

Labor ministers dismissed these rumblings as “idle gossip”.

The state election is scheduled to be held on November 28.