‘No strong advocate’: Liberal leader John Pesutto has his say on Darren Cheeseman

Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto has weighed into the saga surrounding South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman.

Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto. Picture: David Geraghty / NewsWire.

Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto says the residents of South Barwon are being short-changed by local MP Darren Cheeseman.

During his visit to Torquay on Friday for the G21 regional forum, Mr Pesutto said Liberal powerbrokers were keeping a close eye on the electorate after Mr Cheeseman was booted from Labor in late April.

“We know all the reasons why that’s happened,” Mr Pesutto said of the allegations of “persistent, inappropriate behaviour” levelled against Mr Cheeseman.

“I don’t think the people of South Barwon are getting the representation they deserve to get from their local MP.

“It’s just unfortunate that they don’t have a strong advocate who can be a voice on their behalf.

“We will certainly be contesting the seat to ensure we have a strong advocate that can be that voice.”

Darren Cheeseman’s Armstrong Creek office has no longer has Labor Party signage. Picture: Alison Wynd.

In August, Mr Cheeseman broke his months-long silence.

He did not address the allegations, but committed to serving out the remainder of the parliamentary term from the crossbench.

He thanked family and friends for their support during what he said had been “a very difficult time for all concerned”.

Mr Pesutto used the G21 event as a platform to criticise Labor’s failure to incentivise growth in the Geelong region.

But the Hawthorn MP might not be Liberal leader for much longer as rumblings about a challenge grow in the corridors of Spring St.

The move could come as early as next week when parliament returns.

A group of Liberal MPs believe they now have the numbers to force a spill of the party’s entire leadership group.

“If it doesn’t get up this time, it will get up in four weeks,” one key Liberal MP said.

Mr Pesutto has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently due to a Federal Court case brought on by ousted Liberal Moira Deeming.

Ms Deeming claims she was defamed by Mr Pesutto after he allegedly portrayed her as a Nazi sympathiser.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier was originally scheduled to speak at the G21 forum, but she was instead in Melbourne giving evidence at the trial.

Under Mr Pesutto’s leadership, the Coalition has significantly improved its position.

Originally published as ‘No strong advocate’: Liberal leader John Pesutto has his say on Darren Cheeseman