Brad Battin, a former police officer, has been elected as the new Victorian Liberal Opposition Leader, succeeding John Pesutto. Battin won with over 70% of the vote, demonstrating a strong desire for change within the party.
A Victorian Liberal MP has 'no doubt' Brad Battin will unite the party again after the former police officer was overwhelmingly voted in as the new state Opposition Leader to replace John Pesutto . A Victorian Liberal MP believes the party is back on track and has the right leader to help steer them to beat Labor at the next state election in just under two years' time.
A leadership spill on Friday saw former Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto ousted after a turbulent last several weeks from party instability, his defamation court loss to MP Moira Deeming and then keeping her exiled from the party room. A three-way battle for the leadership emerged between shadow police minister Brad Battin, shadow finance minister Jess Wilson and Mornington MP Chris Crewther. In the end Mr Battin - who was favourite - emerged victorious with more than 70 per cent of the votes, with former tennis star turned politician Sam Groth his deputy.Speaking to Sky News, Victorian Liberal MP Richard Riordan who played a key role in ousting Mr Pesutto, said a new leader was important for the party and state's future. 'People want a better government here in Victoria (and) that we got our issues sorted before we started another year. The start of 2026 will mean just under two years until Victorians get to have a say again in how this state is run,' he said on Credlin. 'There is no doubt with more debt than any other state in Australia, with crippling energy crisis on our doorstep, our roads are crumbling, there is a mess with a government that is taxing mums and dads, homeowners, rental providers. 'Everything’s heading in the wrong direction here in Victoria. And it was important the Liberal Party is in its best position and putting its best foot forward to start 2026.' Pressed on whether he believed the party would unite behind the new leader, Mr Riordan said he had'no doubt' and referred to the large number of votes for Mr Batti
VICTORIA LIBERAL PARTY OPPOSITION LEADER BRAD BATTIN JOHN PESUTTO LEADERSHIP SPILL
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