Brad Battin unveils new Liberal Nationals shadow cabinet he intends to take to 2026 state election

New Opposition Leader Brad Battin has announced the team he intends to take to the 2026 state election.

New Opposition Leader Brad Battin has declared none of his factional rivals have been punished in his new shadow cabinet, which he described as a strong team that can win him the next election.

Read now: Victorian Liberals and National Shadow Cabinet full list

The shadow cabinet reshuffle — which was first revealed by the Herald Sun on Monday — has seen former leader John Pesutto take a seat on the backbench after refusing a portfolio.

“At the moment, John has opted to not come into shadow cabinet,” Mr Battin said.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin has denied the shadow cabinet changes were a form of punishment to his factional rivals. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Battin’s deputy, Sam Groth, will become the shadow special minister of state where he will oversee policy, in addition to retaining his former responsibilities looking after sport, tourism and major events.

Brad Battin and Sam Groth after being voted in as leader and deputy leader of the Opposition. Picture: David Crosling

Factional allies of Mr Pesutto — who was sensationally rolled as leader in the final days of last year — were hit with demotions, but Mr Battin denied the changes were a form of punishment.

Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell was stripped of his responsibilities as shadow Treasurer and will instead now oversee environment, in addition to the newly created portfolios of digital transformation and public service innovation.

Brighton MP James Newbury, who threw his support behind Mr Battin in the days leading up to the leadership spill, was rewarded with the shadow Treasurer title.

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence will pick up the shadow finance portfolio from Jess Wilson, who put her hand up as a leadership contender when Mr Pesutto’s position became untenable.

Jess Wilson will remain in charge of the education portfolios and will also pick up the role of industry and economic growth. Picture: David Crosling

Ms Wilson, who is widely viewed as one of the party’s strongest performers and a future leader, will remain in charge of the education portfolios but will also pick up the role of industry and economic growth.

Mr Pesutto’s former deputy David Southwick was stripped of his roles scrutinising the government’s transport infrastructure projects and will instead pick up the police and corrections, and youth justice portfolios. He will also add a new role overseeing youth and future leaders.

Georgie Crozier, also a loyalist to Mr Pesutto, was stripped of her role leading the opposition in the upper house but kept her position as shadow health minister.

Pesutto loyalist Georgie Crozier was stripped of her role leading the opposition in the upper house. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Former opposition leaders Michael O’Brien and Matthew Guy will stay in their roles as shadow Attorney-General and shadow Public Transport minister, respectively.

But Mr Guy, who has lost two state elections, will add a newly created role to this title, responsibility for the “transition to government”.

Richard Riordan, one of Mr Battin’s strongest supporters, kept his housing portfolio but will also add planning to his responsibilities.

Bev McArthur, who was pivotal in securing support for Mr Battin’s leadership challenge, was rewarded with a promotion to shadow cabinet, where she will be responsible for scrutinising government and oversee local councils.

Mr Battin defended her appointment, and said her work ethic was second to none.

“Some have questioned in relation to her age – let me assure you, she’s up before me, she goes to bed after me and she works exceptionally hard,” he said.

Bev McAruthur was promoted to shadow cabinet. Picture: Ian Currie

Nationals leader Danny O’Brien will keep his road and road safety portfolio, add emergency services and also a newly expanded role of regional development and liveability.

Deputy upper house leader Evan Mulholland will become the major projects spokesman, scrutinising Big Build blow outs.

Recently returned Liberal Moira Deeming, who successfully sued Mr Pesutto for defamation, was not offered a spot on the front bench.

Mr Battin said his new shadow cabinet is the team he would take to the 2026 state election.

“This is a team that I have confidence in will be united,” he said.

“This is a team I have confidence in their skills, their work ethic, everything they do.”

Mr Battin said he was “very lucky” to have three former opposition leaders — Mr Guy, Mr O’Brien and now Mr Pesutto — in his ranks.

‘Coaltion cuts squad’

Government minister Lily D’Ambrosio came out in attack of the new “incompetent and divided” shadow cabinet, blasting the lineup as the “Coalition cuts squad”.

Government minister Lily D’Ambrosio blasted the shadow cabinet reshuffle, calling it the ‘Coalition cuts squad’. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Ms D’Ambrosio, who is responsible for the state’s energy transition, referred to shadow cabinet newcomer Bev McArthur as the “Shadow Minister for the 1950s”.

“Ms McArthur masterminded the hostile right-wing takeover of the Victorian Liberal Party. She’s only just begun. She is the chief spear carrier of the Liberal anti-trans movement, she crossed the floor to vote against the outlawing of gay conversion therapy — she even said Aboriginal Victorians should say ‘thank you’ for colonisation because it stopped communism,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“She wants to drag the progressive state back to the 1950s — and Brad Battin will back her every step of the way.”

In an attack on Mr Pesutto’s absence from shadow cabinet, Ms D’Ambrosio referred to the former leader as the “Shadow Minister for Nothing”.

“Today, following the hostile right-wing Liberal takeover, Mr Pesutto has been banished to Moderate Island,” she said.

Victorian Liberals and Nationals Shadow Cabinet: Full list

Brad Battin
– MP Leader of the Liberal Party
– Leader of the Opposition
– Shadow Minister for Small and Medium Business

Danny O’Brien
– Leader of The Nationals
– Deputy Leader of the Coalition
– Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety
– Shadow Minister for Emergency Services
– Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Liveability

Sam Groth
– Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party
– Deputy Leader of the Opposition
– Shadow Special Minister for State
– Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport, Events and Hospitality
– Shadow Minister for Outdoor Recreation

Emma Kealy
– Deputy Leader of The Nationals
– Shadow Minister for Agriculture
– Shadow Minister for Mental Health

David Davis
– Leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council
– Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
– Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources
– Shadow Minister for Financial Integrity and Budget Repair

Evan Mulholland
– Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council
– Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
– Shadow Minister for Major Projects
– Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
– Shadow Minister for Arts and Creative Industries

James Newbury
– Shadow Treasurer
– Shadow Minister for Equality

Georgie Crozier

– Shadow Minister for Health

Matthew Guy
– Shadow Minister for Transition to Government
– Shadow Minister for Public Transport

Jess Wilson
– Shadow Minister for Education
– Shadow Minister for Industry and Economic Growth

Michael O’Brien
– Shadow Attorney-General
– Shadow Minister for Victim Support

Bridget Vallence
– Manager of Opposition Business
– Shadow Minister for Finance
– Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment

Tim Bull
– Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing, Carers and Volunteers
– Shadow Minister for Racing
– Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs

Brad Rowswell
– Shadow Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Service Innovation
– Shadow Minister for Environment

Richard Riordan
– Shadow Minister for Planning
– Shadow Minister for Housing

Beverley McArthur
– Shadow Minister for Local Government
– Shadow Minister for Scrutiny of Government

Tim McCurdy
– Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs
– Shadow Minister for Water
– Shadow Minister for Gaming and Liquor

Melina Bath
– Leader of The Nationals in the Legislative Council
– Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
– Shadow Minister for Public Land Management

David Southwick
– Shadow Minister for Police and Corrections
– Shadow Minister for Youth and Future Leaders
– Shadow Minister for Youth Justice

Cindy McLeish
– Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention
– Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
– Shadow Minister for Women

David Hodgett
– Shadow Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation
– Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations

Roma Britnell
– Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight
– Shadow Minister for Child Protection

Joe McCracken
– Shadow Cabinet Secretary

Annabelle Cleeland
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Health

Trung Luu
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Police, Corrections and Crime Prevention

Chris Crewther
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Housing and Rental Affordability

Renee Heath
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Victims of Family Violence
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Ann-Marie Hermans
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Education

Richard Welch
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Industry and Economic Growth

Nicole Werner
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth and Future Leaders

Martin Cameron
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Energy Affordability
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Small Business

Wayne Farnham
– Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Planning and the Building Industry

Bill Tilley
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Boating and Fishing

Kim O’Keeffe
– Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Multicultural Affairs

Originally published as Brad Battin unveils new Liberal Nationals shadow cabinet he intends to take to 2026 state election