John Pesutto will step down as Victoria's opposition leader and exiled MP Moira Deeming will be readmitted to the parliamentary wing of the Liberal Party following a party room showdown.Berwick MP Brad Battin said he was "humbled" to become leader and will replace Pesutto after emerging victorious in today's leadership vote.Former tennis star Sam Groth will become the deputy Liberal leader.
Brad Battin will be the new leader of the Victorian Liberals, with Sam Groth (rear left) to be his deputy. (Eddie Jim)Battin defeated Kew MP Jess Wilson and Mornington MP Chris Crewther, who both threw their hats in the ring for the top job.Addressing reporters following the vote, Battin thanked Pesutto for his work over the past two years."I'm very thankful for the support I've got from my colleagues in the party room today to ensure that we can come out united," Battin said."He's a true believer of our values and he's a man of his word. We now have an obligation to move forward."The former police officer and shadow police minister hoped to bring a different perspective to the leadership role."I've brought to the table experiences from outside the Victorian parliament and Victorian politics," Battin said."I'm coming to you as a small business owner and someone who can understand how those pressures impact on businesses."Battin had made a bid for the leadership in 2021 but was unsuccessful in replacing former leader Michael O'Brien.
Exiled MP Moira Deeming will be readmitted to the parliamentary wing of the Liberal Party. (Eddie Jim.)
Deeming back in the fold
Today's meeting also included a motion to readmit Deeming to the party, a week after a similar motion failed in a 14-all vote deadlock.Pesutto used his vote last week to break the deadlock, telling reporters that the vote concluded "the matter".However, in an extraordinary backflip, Pesutto issued a statement yesterday calling for another meeting on January 15 to "discuss and vote on a motion" to readmit Deeming to the parliamentary Liberal Party..Today, Deeming was voted back in by her colleagues, 23 votes to four.
John Pesutto arrives at parliament before the meeting to oust him. (Luis Enrique Ascui/The Age)
Moira Deeming sued her leader John Pesutto for defamation – and won. After being exiled from the party, she was today readmitted. (Joe Armao)On December 11, Deeming won her case against Pesutto, with the Federal Court ruling that he had defamed her during a series of media appearances and in a party expulsion motion.The judge found that Pesutto had implied Deeming was unfit to remain in the parliamentary Liberal Party.Following the ruling, Pesutto addressed the media, stating he had no plans to step down as head of the Liberal Party.
