Brad Battin replaces John Pesutto as leader of the Victorian Liberals

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Key Points

A spill motion was raised after a vote to return ousted MP Moira Deeming to the Liberal party room.
John Pesutto had led the Victorian Liberal party in Opposition for two years.
Pesutto opted not to run and Brad Battin, who had been Opposition police spokesperson, was chosen as the new leader.

Victoria’s Opposition Liberal party has a new leader.

Opposition police spokesman Brad Battin has toppled John Pesutto to lead the party, after a party room meeting that also heralded the return of expelled MP Moira Deeming.

After a vote to return Deeming to the party room, a spill motion was raised against Pesutto, the man who had led the campaign to remove her from the party earlier in 2024.

Pesutto opted not to run and Battin was elected above Mornington MP Chris Crewther, while opposition finance spokeswoman Jess Wilson’s tilt at the top job failed to pass the first round of voting.

“We now have an obligation to move forward,” Battin said after the vote.

“I’m very thankful for the support I’ve got from my colleagues in the party room today to ensure that we could come out united and get on message with the message we need to have. We know Victorians are hurting.”

Former tennis player Sam Groth was elected unopposed as deputy leader.

Groth appeared to spark the row earlier in December, when he resigned to the back bench after Pesutto refused to step down as leader .

A Federal Court judge found Pesutto had defamed Deeming by implying she was associated with Nazis who gatecrashed a controversial Melbourne rally she was at and ordered he pay her $315,000 and costs.

A composite image of Moira Deeming and John Pesutto.

Earlier in December the Federal Court found John Pesutto had defamed Moira Deeming in 2023 and ordered he pay more than $315,000 in damages plus costs. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

Before the vote, former party leader Michael O’Brien underscored the need for unity in the ranks.

“Unless we can win and hold government, then we can’t enhance the freedom, prosperity and security of Victorians or Australians,” O’Brien said as he entered Parliament House.

“So we just need to knuckle down, get behind whatever decision is made today and win the next election for Victoria.”

Wilson had announced her candidacy after a deal to become Battin’s deputy came off the table.

“The best way forward to defeat was with a unified leadership ticket,” Wilson said.

“Unfortunately, it has been made clear to me that a unity ticket is no longer on the table.”

Battin arrived for the vote flanked by supporters including Groth.

Pesutto entered the Opposition party room with deputy David Southwick saying his thoughts were with Victorians experiencing bushfires and the first responders.

“We’ll deal with these matters in here, but the most important thing for us in Victoria is to look out for each other,” he said.

It was the second time the party voted on whether to return Deeming, the first was rejected after Pesutto cast the tie-breaking vote in an issue that split the party down the middle.

Battin will take the reins less than two years before a pivotal state election at which the Labor government will seek a rare fourth term.