Battin expected to bridge factional divide in new-look frontbench

Newly minted Opposition Leader Brad Battin will unveil his frontbench on Tuesday in a shadow cabinet reshuffle that rewards key allies while mending relations with some former opponents.

Planning spokesman and Brighton MP James Newbury will receive the coveted treasury portfolio, according to two Liberal sources, while upper house MP for Western Victoria Beverley McArthur will be promoted to shadow cabinet as local government spokeswoman. Both backed Battin over former leader John Pesutto.

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin will unveil his new-look shadow cabinet on Tuesday.Credit: Justin McManus

Kew MP Jess Wilson will retain the education portfolio and upper house MP Georgie Crozier will remain health spokeswoman, the sources said, despite being former Pesutto allies.

As for Pesutto, the member for Hawthorn will be relegated to the backbench.

The Liberal sources, who spoke to The Age on condition of anonymity to divulge internal matters, said they expected the opposition leader to announce his new-look frontbench on Tuesday.

In all, the reshuffle is expected to be a “one or two in, one or two out” affair, one of the sources said.

Shadow cabinet announcements, like all cabinet decisions, are traditionally shrouded in mystery until they are formally announced.

Battin said in a statement that his new shadow cabinet would hit the ground running. “The team I will announce tomorrow stand ready as a motivated alternative government ready to restore fairness and opportunity for all Victorians.”

Monday’s developments came as the Victorian Speaker confirmed the upcoming byelection in Werribee, in Melbourne’s western suburbs, would be held on Saturday, February 8, after the formal resignation of former treasurer Tim Pallas.

Werribee residents will head to the polls the same day as voters in the inner-city seat of Prahran after the resignation of former Greens MP Sam Hibbins.

Labor candidate for Werribee John Lister at a press conference at Werribee Outdoor Pool with Premier Jacinta Allan on Monday.Credit: Paul Jeffers

Prahran is considered to be a Greens versus Liberal contest after Labor decided not to field a candidate. However, the party has chosen teacher and CFA volunteer John Lister to run in Werribee, which Pallas held for 18 years.

The Liberals have not yet chosen a candidate for Werribee. However, nominations close later this week, and the party is hopeful of making gains in the outer-suburban seat off the back of Labor’s 10 years in power.

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