Richard Riordan and Bev McArthur elevated in new look Liberal frontbench

Geelong-based upper house member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur will join the opposition’s front bench, as one Labor minister described her as “shadow minister for the 1950s”.

Richard Riordan and Bev McArthur are part of a new look Liberal front bench.

A pair of local state Liberal MPs have been rewarded for their role in helping Brad Battin ascend to the leadership.

Geelong-based upper house member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur will join the opposition’s front bench for the first time since being elected to parliament in 2018.

She has been appointed to oversee two portfolios: local government and scrutiny of government.

Polwarth MP Richard Riordan has had his emergency services portfolio replaced with planning, which comes on top of his role as housing spokesman.

Mr Riordan, whose electorate takes in towns that include Torquay, Winchelsea and Colac, said Victoria had been crippled by a housing crisis for years.

He described Labor’s attempts to solve housing shortages as “misguided”.

“Victorians need certainty, and the people of the G21 region, known to be one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, need forward planning and housing choices,” he said.

“These choices need to fit the region’s many communities, but also help match the lifestyles people expect when choosing to live in the region.”

Mr Riordan said the more than 60,000 families awaiting a home was “a sad testament to the state’s failure to get housing right”.

“The average Victorian can still hold a dream of owning their own home, a dream that the state Labor government has given up on,” he said.

“But as Victoria’s shadow housing minister. I believe it is still a realistic and achievable goal for all young Victorians.”

Following their appointments, Labor’s Lily D’Ambrosio referred to Ms McArthur as “shadow minister for the 1950s” and the “chief spear carrier of the Liberal anti-trans movement”, adding that Mr Riordan would become a vocal opponent of more homes for young people near Melbourne train stations”.

Mr Riordan and Ms McArthur were key allies of Mr Battin ahead of the December 27 leadership spill that marked the end for John Pesutto, who has been relegated to the back bench in the shake-up that was announced Tuesday.

Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin and deputy Sam Groth. Picture: David Crosling.

Ms McArthur had repeatedly called for Mr Pesutto’s resignation after Moira Deeming successfully sued him for defamation, while Mr Riordan was one of five MPs to sign a letter that brought on a vote to have Ms Deeming brought back into the Liberal fold.

Brighton MP James Newbury, who caused a stir last month, has taken on treasury duties.

In an comment that riled many of his regional colleagues, Mr Newbury labelled Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes “out-of-towners” because they don’t live in Melbourne.

Mr Battin, a former policeman and small business owner, said his shadow cabinet appointments addressed the critical issues facing Victoria, highlighting cost of living, housing, education and safety.

“Victorians want responsible politicians who get the basics right, don’t waste their money, and plan ahead for future Victorians – that is what my alternative government will deliver,” he said.

Mr Battin, MP for Berwick in Melbourne’s outer east, defeated Chris Crewther and Jess Wilson to become Liberal leader in a vote that Mr Pesutto didn’t contend.

EARLIER: LOCAL MPs PLAY KEY ROLE IN OUSTING PESUTTO AS LIBERAL LEADER

The election of Brad Battin as Liberal leader has been described as a “fresh start” for Geelong, with the support of a pair of local members vital in getting him the gig.

Former cop Brad Battin, MP for Berwick in Melbourne’s outer east, defeated Chris Crewther and Jess Wilson to be named party leader, after John Pesutto was deposed in a leadership spill.

Among Mr Battin’s supporters were Richard Riordan, MP for Polwarth, and Bev McArthur, who represents Western Victoria in the upper house.

Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan said the Liberals would hit the ground running under the leadership of Brad Battin.

The pair emerged as key allies for Mr Battin ahead of Friday’s spill, with Mr Riordan even among Mr Battin’s entourage when he arrived ahead of the vote, along with newly-minted deputy Sam Groth, Bridget Vallence, Nicole Werner and another western Victorian, Joe McCracken.

Moira Deeming was readmitted to the Victorian Liberal Party, joining her colleagues once again after more than 18 months in exile, on Friday.

Rumblings around the leadership intensified after Ms Deeming earlier this month successfully sued Mr Pesutto for defamation.

Mr Riordan has long been a close ally of Mr Battin within the party, with both belonging to its conservative faction.

Mr Riordan initially put his hand up in the 2022 spill but withdrew and endorsed Mr Battin.

Mr Battin lost that leadership vote to Mr Pesutto by a single vote, 17-16.

Mr Riordan said he and Mr Battin were “good friends”.

“We have led the charge on the need to really connect closely to average Victorian families and small business people,” Mr Riordan said.

Ms McArthur, who missed out on nabbing upper house deputy by just two votes, said Mr Battin’s win meant a “fresh start” for the party in Victoria as the party eyes two upcoming by-elections, in Prahan and Werribee, and an election in 2025.

Victorian Liberal MP Bev McArthur said the Liberals could put 2024 behind them and focus on defeating Labor in 2025, who she said were “wrecking Victoria”. Picture: Ian Currie

She said she was “very happy” to support Mr Battin when he put his name forward.

Both Ms McArthur and Mr Riordan highlighted Mr Battin’s career in as a police officer and small business background – running a Baker’s Delight – held him in good stead.

Mr Riordan said the change in leadership meant Geelong voters who were “suffering with cost-of-living, law and order issues, appalling roads and the general chaos we find ourselves in” had a “dynamic new team”.

“We’re singularly focused, and those issues that matter to Victorians are going to be front and centre of everything we have to say until the election,” he said.

Both Mr Riordan and Ms McArthur put off suggestions of potential positions Mr Battin’s future shadow cabinet, which will likely be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m letting (Mr Battin) let the dust settle,” Ms McArthur said.

“I will be working furiously to make sure that (Labor) are held to account and that we give hope and opportunity to everybody across my electorate.”

Mr Riordan already holds the emergency services and housing portfolios in the shadow cabinet.

“Where you live and how you keep safe are very important to Victorians, and I’m happy to help Brad in any way I can,” Mr Riordan said.

Originally published as Richard Riordan and Bev McArthur elevated in new look Liberal frontbench