Newly appointed Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin has distanced himself from the 'extreme conservative' label attached by the Labor government, emphasizing his focus on family, cost of living, and crime as key policy priorities.
Brad Battin has been the state opposition leader for less than a fortnight, and the Labor government has already issued no fewer than four press releases painting him as an extreme conservative. But if there’s one thing the self-styled “bogan from Berwick” wants you to know about him, it’s that he doesn’t hail from the party’s more conservative wing, even if he undeniably relied on the faction’s support while ousting his predecessor John Pesutto.
Battin rejected any assertion that his party had lurched to the right. He said he had no plans to water down Victorians’ abortion rights and that he was happy to attend Melbourne’s Pride March. He reiterated his belief that children don’t belong in prison. Battin named former prime minister John Howard as one of his political heroes and said Victoria needed to have an “adult discussion” about federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s plans for small-scale nuclear reactors in places like the Latrobe Valley. This represents a marginally stronger pro-nuclear stance than Pesutto’s “agnostic” position. “I have two daughters. Myself and my wife have raised them to be hardworking young people. The reality is, my focus is families, singles, people renting, housing, cost of living, crime. People are looking for a genuine change.”In a sign of collegiality, Battin’s sit-down interview was conducted alongside Coalition education and industry spokeswoman Jess Wilson, his one-time challenger. They made small talk, laughed and agreed to be photographed together. The only thing Wilson refused to do was stand in front of a flag of Battin’s beloved Geelong Football Club. Wilson, the member for Kew, is a Collingwood supporter.A moderate, she was touted as a potential deputy to Battin by his supporters ahead of the leadership vote in late December. But Battin, a former police officer and Bakers Delight owner who has served in parliament for almost 15 years, said his Liberal values were reward for effort and equal opportunity
VICTORIAN POLITICS LIBERAL PARTY BRAD BATTIN POLICY PRIORITIES NUCLEAR ENERGY
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