Kennett: New Liberal leader Brad Battin’s lengthy to-do list before he earns right to govern

New Liberal leader Brad Battin has a number of objectives to tick off ahead of the 2026 state election - uniting as a disciplined group being one of them - but can he do it?

Life continues, another year gone, a new year starts.

Let me first reflect on the changes within the Parliamentary Liberal Party last week.

As we say when a monarch dies... the King is dead, long live the King (or Queen).

So to in politics.

In the Victorian Liberal Party John Pesutto has been replaced by Brad Battin.

While thanking Pesutto for his leadership, I congratulate Battin at the start of what I hope will be long experience first in Opposition and then even longer in government.

Victorian Liberal Party leader John Pesutto was replaced by Brad Battin as Victorian Liberal leader last week. Picture: Ian Currie

Battin has, like Peter Dutton, had a disciplined training and then service as a police officer.

I have always thought that that training, be it in a police force or armed forces or emergency services, stands one in good stead for whatever follows that career.

Battin has had a brief, three-year experience in running a small business, before entering the parliament.

Third, he has had 14 years’ experience as a parliamentarian before being elevated to the leadership of his party and will have served for 16 years before becoming Premier in 2026.

I always have expressed the view than a person needs to serve an apprenticeship of between 12 and 16 years before becoming Premier or Prime Minister.

Battin fits that criteria.

Brad Battin in his police uniform at his 2001 graduation. Picture: Supplied

That said there is a great deal of work that must be done before he and his colleagues earn the right to govern.

They must present to the public as a disciplined group, as did David Crisafulli in Queensland before winning the election in October.

Battin will have a number of objectives between now and the state election in November 2026:

1. Lead a team of united parliamentary colleagues. That is as much up to those he leads, but as leader he must inspire confidence and discipline.

2. He and all his colleagues must put in the leg work every day, to win the Prahran and Werribee by-elections.

3. He must work backwards from winning the election in late 2026 and ask himself has the parliamentary party got the talent and experience to deal with the massive challenge they will inherit of dealing with Victoria’s increasing debt.

If not, how does he encourage men and women with the skills to enter parliament at the next election.

He must also ask himself the same question of the leadership of the public service, and identify the best talent to assist and be ready to join his government on election.

4. Battin’s team must start to develop policies to take to the public in the run down to the election.

New Liberal Leader Brad Battin with his wife Jo. Picture: Tony Gough

There is no urgency now, but such policies must be able to be implemented, and be responsible.

Of course all the time Battin and his team must execute publicly the failings of the current government.

I listed nine ingredients in this column a few weeks ago that I think are relevant for rebuilding Victoria. Whether Battin agrees or not I list them again here.

THE need for transparency with the public.

SELECTION of the best MPs and public servants to address the massive challenge of Victoria’s debt.

REDUCE government expenditure.

SET an economic target to restore Victorias budget to a surplus in two, three or four years.

WORK with industry and employers to ensure no businesses leave the state.

SPEED up decision-making of private sector projects that have been in ministers’ in-trays for more than six months.

REVIEW the number and operations of Victoria’s 79 municipalities.

REMOVE or lesson some of the taxes and charges that have reduced incentives and aspirations.

REBUILD confidence and hope in Victoria.

Brad Battin has a lengthy to-do list before he and his colleagues earn the right to govern. Picture: David Crosling

Governing need not be difficult, in fact can be very rewarding and enjoyable. But it helps when the base values are correct, everyone kicking in the right direction, and when the government takes the public into their confidence.

The public will accept the challenges that lie ahead for the state, but only if they fully understand what that challenge is and how important it is that we overcome the short-term issues.

As readers know, I am an optimist, and I am confident that the members of the Parliamentary Liberal Party will under Battin put aside self-interest, and come together as a team to offer a realistic alternative to the current state Labor government.

Dutton and Battin have much in common with their backgrounds and training.

Australia and Victoria need disciplined governments that will put the public interest above the pursuit of cheap but expensive popularity.

Have a great year. It will be an exciting one here in Australia and overseas where hopefully peace will be restored where conflicts exist.

Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria

Originally published as Kennett: New Liberal leader Brad Battin’s lengthy to-do list before he earns right to govern