Smith has been a supporter of Moira Deeming, who was forced onto the crossbench earlier this month
Pesutto has been struggling to bring his party back to the centre after years of factional instability between moderates and conservatives, which again flared after Deeming’s attendance at an anti-transgender rights rally.
Deeming was eventually expelled from the party room but received the support of Smith and other conservative MPs throughout the six-week saga, which led the federal opposition leader, Peter Dutton, toPesutto told reporters on Wednesday he had learned of Smith’s resignation by reading his statement online.
“These announcements are very personal announcements that involve, obviously, discussions and thoughts with his own family and close network of friends,” he said.The opposition leader said the Liberals would “throw everything” at the byelection.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Victorian Liberal MP Ryan Smith quits politics, triggering byelectionVictorian Liberal MP Ryan Smith has announced he is resigning from politics and will step down from state parliament on July 7, trigging a by-election in his electorate north-east of Melbourne.
Read more »
Victorian Liberal MP says Indigenous people should be grateful for ‘wonderful things’ brought by colonisationBev McArthur criticised by state’s First People’s Assembly co-chair as trying ‘to make a name’ for herself
Read more »
Victorian Liberal MP calls time on careerThe resignation will trigger a by-election in the outer-Melbourne seat which will further test John Pesutto’s strained leadership.
Read more »
Road trauma survivors warn of lifelong consequences in split-second decisions as Victorian road toll risesNine people have died on Victorian roads in the past week. Families impacted by past road trauma say the consequences for those left behind will be felt for years.
Read more »
Mum’s heartbreaking final call with son killed in Victorian crash: ‘See you soon’The mother of a teenager killed in a Victorian crash has described the final phone call she had with him as dramatic video emerges, reportedly filmed inside the car in the moments before the incident. 7NEWS
Read more »