A fatal signature.

This week saw another blow land on Kevin Rudd's shoulders in his quest to become the next prime minister. Shadow Attorney General Kelvin Thomason resigned from the shadow ministry in disgrace, having signed a glowing reference for a Melbourne drug baron who was seeking a liquor license. This man - Tony Mokbel - is hiding overseas, having skipped bail on serious drug charges.
This incident should throw the spotlight on the culture that surrounds references - and the people who provide them.
The Queensland Health service employed a doctor on the basis of glowing references from his American colleagues. Many deaths later from botched operations that this doctor was incompetent to perform an enquiry quizzed those who signed these references - to be told that this was normal protocol. Those signing admitted that they had never met the man - knew nothing of his reputation - but simply went along with the culture when asked.
This reference culture is alive and well in the business community. Time and time again business leaders admit to quietly easing out an incompetent employee, but sending him on his way with a glowing testimonial that is nothing but a pack of lies - and a trap for any future employer. Most condone doing this as a mark of sympathy because that employee " was basically a good bloke " and " the stupid bastard was no longer my concern ".
This attitude diminishes the value of references and must lead many magistrates to downgrade them when considering imposing a sentence on a convicted person. It is custom for those charged with a crime to solicit testimonials from people of substance in an effort to lessen the sentence. It seems that in many cases politicians, business people - and even ministers of religion - feel obliged to provide a testimonial despite having little knowledge of the person involved.
The resignation of the shadow Attorney General will certainly bring the matter to public attention. Signing a reference is a both legally and morally binding commitment - and in this case the person involved had the possibility of becoming the chief custodian of law in this country. His fall is a heavy price to pay, but hopefully it will cause many others to hesitate before putting pen to paper without an honest belief that what is written is correct !