Brad New Day as Battin Reigns Supreme After Libs Vote
Brad Battin takes charge of the Victorian Liberal Party after a tough leadership contest, aiming for unity and addressing key issues.
Brad Battin, Victorian Liberal Party, Melbourne, John Pesutto, Moira Deeming
Melbourne: So, Brad Battin is the new leader of the Victorian Liberal Party. He’s all about unity after a pretty rough leadership battle. It’s been a wild ride, but he’s ready to take the reins.
He’s the fourth opposition leader to take on Victoria’s Labor government, stepping in after John Pesutto was ousted in a party vote. Pesutto didn’t even try to keep his spot, which is telling.
Battin beat out Mornington MP Chris Crewther and Jess Wilson, who had her own plans to be deputy but didn’t make it past the first round. It’s a bit of a shake-up, for sure.
Before diving into politics, Battin was a police officer and ran a small business. He thinks that experience helps him understand what everyday Victorians are dealing with.
He’s got some clear priorities: crime, cost of living, budget issues, and roads. It seems he’s continuing the work of his predecessor, which might help keep some consistency.
“We need to show we’re a united team ready to take on the government in 701 days,” he told reporters. That’s a bold statement, but he’s got a plan.
When asked how he’d differ from Pesutto, he said he’d talk things over with his party first. Makes sense, right? You can’t just go off on your own.
He also had a chat with federal leader Peter Dutton right after he got the job. Battin wants to make sure they’re on the same page for what’s best for Victorians.
Things got a bit messy for Pesutto after a court ruling found he defamed Moira Deeming, which stirred up a lot of drama. It’s been a tough time for the party.
Former tennis player Sam Groth’s resignation seemed to kick off the leadership spill. He wasn’t happy with how things were going, and it led to some big changes.
Now, Deeming is back in the party after being kicked out over the defamation case. She’s grateful for the support she got to return.
Battin has two years to make a real impact before the next state election, where Labor is aiming for a rare fourth term. It’s going to be interesting to see how this all plays out.