The Victorian Liberal Party is facing a potential leadership change as it struggles to regain its footing in the polls ahead of the next state election. Less than a year after Brad Battin was appointed as opposition leader, he may confront a leadership spill as early as Tuesday morning, with Jess Wilson, the Kew MP and a former staffer to ex-federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, expected to mount a challenge.
A delegation of Liberal MPs recently informed Mr. Battin that he had lost support within the party room. Following that, several members reached out to reinforce the message. Despite these challenges, Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth stated on Channel Nine that Mr. Battin “absolutely” remains leader, although he conceded that “only time will tell” if he can maintain his position.
Internal discord within the party has been brewing since a significant defeat in the 2022 election. This discord has escalated into a defamation lawsuit filed by Liberal MP Moira Deeming against the party’s former leader John Pesutto. If Mr. Battin loses the leadership, he would become the fifth leader of the Victorian Liberals since September 2021.
The Victorian opposition has seen a decline in popularity, even as the three-term Labor government grapples with increasing crime rates and rising state debt. The situation has prompted speculation about leadership stability not only at the state level but also federally, as the party’s federal counterparts recently abandoned their net-zero emissions policy, leading to further speculation about a potential challenge against federal leader Sussan Ley.
As the Victorian Liberals prepare for a critical juncture, the outcome of this potential leadership spill could significantly impact the party’s strategy and public perception moving forward. The next days will be pivotal for the party as it seeks to address internal conflicts and redefine its leadership ahead of the upcoming election.
