Shadow Police Minister Brad Battin has emerged victorious as the new leader of the Victorian Liberals after a dramatic leadership spill ousted John Pesutto during a partyroom meeting on Friday morning.
Pesutto’s position had become untenable following exiled MP Moira Deeming’s legal triumph in a defamation case against him, which saw him ordered to pay $315,000 in damages. A partyroom motion to readmit Ms Deeming sparked the leadership spill, ultimately handing Battin the top job.
Representing Berwick in Melbourne’s outer south-east, Battin will be joined by former tennis star and Nepean MP Sam Groth as deputy leader.
Speaking after his victory, Battin thanked his predecessor while pledging to focus on issues affecting Victorians.
“I want to thank John Pesutto for his service to our party. He’s a true believer in our values and a man of his word,” Mr Battin said.
“We now have an obligation to move forward united and address the challenges Victorians face.”
The new leader outlined priorities including tackling the cost-of-living crisis, strengthening law and order, repairing Victoria’s crumbling road network, and addressing the state’s ballooning budget deficit.
The leadership contest also saw Shadow Finance Minister Jess Wilson and Mornington MP Chris Crewther vying for the role. Crewther, who finished as runner-up, pledged his support for Battin while leaving the door open for a future leadership bid.
Pesutto, who led the Liberals since December 2022, vowed to support his successor, saying,
“I congratulate Brad Battin. I’ll do whatever I can to assist him and the party moving forward.”
Battin now faces the challenge of uniting the party and positioning it as a viable alternative to Premier Jacinta Allan’s government ahead of the next state election.
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