Backroom Baz: Opposition Leader Brad Battin may have shortcomings but being down to earth isn’t one of them
Since taking the on the Liberal leadership, Brad Battin has leaned into his everyman charm – and the plain-speaking authenticity might just prove successful come election time.
If Opposition Leader Brad Battin has his shortcomings, being down to earth is not one of them.
Since taking the Liberal leadership in December he has leaned into a certain everyman charm, the kind of suburban dad energy that feels more at home at the local Bunnings sausage sizzle than a political fundraiser.
Battin and Nationals leader Danny O’Brien appeared at the Rural Press Club of Victoria awards this week for a sleeves-rolled-up double act this week, boosting their relatability stocks. Asked how often he drinks alcohol, Battin said only “on days ending with Y.” He also again declared his love for Cold Chisel, and told guests he’d have returned to the police force if a political career didn’t work out. In a political scene often accused of being out of touch, Battin’s plain-speaking authenticity might be his golden ticket yet.
Magee in, Mounir out
You win some, you lose some. Jacinta Allan has added some serious weaponry to her election campaign machine, with the appointment of Louise Magee to her office. Magee most recently was central to federal Labor’s election win, and has more than two decades of election strategy work under her belt both here and in the UK. She’s described as a powerhouse.
And the office might need a boost, given the resignation of the hugely respected Mounir Kiwan, who was appointed director of parliament and stakeholders by Allan shortly after she became Premier in 2023. Kiwan was tasked with spearheading the government’s legislative agenda and building ties with external parties, which he did par excellence, Baz is told. Despite not always seeing eye-to-eye with new chief of staff, Damian Karmelich, Baz is assured by multiple sources Kiwan was never going to hang around for the election year, and had made that clear for some time. Still, his loss will be felt, and Allan will be hoping it can be offset by the experience of Magee.
Learning from Labor?
The member for Sandringham, Brad Rowswell, like many of his political peers, is a self-professed political history nerd. He was spotted this week walking the halls of power with a copy of Joel Deane’s epic Catch and Kill under his arm. The book details Labor politics in Victoria from the Cain Government’s end to the 2010 election.
Is Rowswell brushing up on strategy to help the Liberals finally topple the Labor government? Some Coalition MPs were left looking forlorn this week after the government’s attempt to neutralise crime as a central election issue, with a series of commitments to reform sentencing and lock up criminals, including youths, and throw away the key. But it’s still more than a year out from the polls and the Liberals have added another glimmer of hope to their campaign bag – the appointment of Alyson Hannam as the party’s new State Director, the first woman to get the job. Those who know her say Hannam, who helped lead the Country Liberal Party to a thumping election win at last year’s Northern Territory election, say she will be a game changer. Tough, hard-nosed, and unrelenting political operator is how she’s been described. Watch this space.
Disappearing politicians
In the world of politics, where appearances matter almost as much as policies, a new trend has emerged – the case of the disappearing politicians. This year, it’s become a popular pastime for insiders – politicians, journalists and staffers alike – to speculate on who’s been slimming down with a little help. While Baz avoids naming names to steer clear of any controversy, it’s hard to ignore the chatter about up to six MPs shedding pounds. Whether it’s the result of the wonder weight loss drugs or sheer determination, the exact reason will always likely remain a mystery. Nevertheless, it’s certainly caught everyone’s attention.
Deja vu
Is a new-ish political party set to again try and enter Victoria’s political fray? Remember the Victorians Party that launched in 2021, intended to run for every seat in the state, had named about a dozen candidates, then abruptly pulled out of the race ahead just three months before the 2022 election amid concerns about fundraising efforts? They’re back! Well, sort of.
A website using the party name and branding popped up this week, seeking expressions of interest from potential candidates. It’s being spearheaded by Ian Cook of SlugGate fame, communications consultant Rohan Wenn and digital campaigner Jackson Moon, according to the website. The website which was mysteriously taken down after Baz made some inquiries. Watch this space.
Originally published as Backroom Baz: Opposition Leader Brad Battin may have shortcomings but being down to earth isn’t one of them
