John Pesutto to invoke special clause to allow remote voting at party room showdown

Liberal leader John Pesutto is seeking to allow two MPs to vote remotely at Friday’s showdown party room meeting, prompting accusations that his push is in “breach of the constitution”.

Liberal leader John Pesutto is seeking to allow two MPs to vote remotely at Friday’s showdown party room meeting, prompting accusations that his push is in “breach of the constitution”.

Mr Pesutto advised all colleagues in an email on Christmas Eve that he will invoke a special clause to allow Nick McGowan and Cindy McLeish to participate remotely while away on holiday.

The meeting, called by five MPs earlier this week, could strip Mr Pesutto of his leadership.

In an explosive email that has infuriated some Liberal MPs, obtained by the Herald Sun, Mr Pesutto said both MPs had requested to participate.

Mr Pesutto is seeking to allow two of his allies to vote remotely at Friday’s all-important party room meeting.

“I have sought advice from the Shadow Attorney-General who advises that it is open to me in the circumstances to exercise the authority to enable remote participation,” he wrote.

“I therefore invoke clause 10 and have requested that the State Director (cc’d) devise the appropriate ballot format as required by the First Schedule.”

But senior Liberal James Newbury clapped back on Tuesday morning, claiming Mr Pesutto’s proposal was in “breach of the constitution”.

He noted that the constitution only allowed MPs to participate remotely due to health or other emergencies, or natural disasters which make it “impossible to travel”.

“The Constitution does not provide the Leader with the power to offer a remote meeting where a Member is on holidays and given five full days’ notice of the meeting,” he wrote.

“It is clear that a holiday does not make it “impossible” for a Member to return for the meeting.”

Even with the support of Mr McGowan and Ms McLeish, Mr Pesutto is unlikely to save his job.

However, their participation could sbore up more power for the moderates at the bargaining table as they piece together a new shadow cabinet.

One MP said the “nasty move” by the conservative faction to bring forward a party room meeting planned for January 15 to Friday was done to “deliberately disenfranchise key Jess backers who are currently away”.

“Well, now the ball game has changed,” they said.

“Here’s yet another opportunity to do the best thing and move on from this shit show in a unified and dignified way.

But a senior Liberal close to Brad Battin – the frontrunner to take the leadership – said Mr Pesutto’s push to shore up more votes for the moderates was a “desperate move that undermines the integrity of the Party Room”.

“The provision for remote voting was designed for exceptional circumstances where travel is genuinely impossible, not to accommodate MPs who are on holiday,” he said.

“This proposal is a blatant abuse of the constitution, prioritising personal political survival over the good of the Party and its principles.

“It’s clear that John Pesutto has lost the plot, putting his own interests ahead of his colleagues and the Party as a whole.”

Infighting heats up in race to be next deputy

Liberal MPs and party operators will spend Christmas finalising a new-look shadow cabinet ahead of Brad Battin’s mooted leadership challenge.

Sam Groth is now tipped to become deputy leader after negotiations between the conservatives and moderates broke down over the weekend, leaving up-and-comer Jess Wilson without a spot on the leadership team.

She is, however, expected to remain in shadow cabinet.

Outspoken Liberal MP James Newbury is said to be the front runner for shadow treasurer, swiping the gig from Brad Rowswell.

Brad Battin is mounting a leadership challenge. Picture: Aaron Francis

Sam Groth is tipped to become deputy leader. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Jess Wilson looks set to miss out on a spot on the leadership team.

The Herald Sun understands senior Liberal figures are attempting to piece together a shadow cabinet with a 50-50 split between men and women.

Charlotte Mortlock, Executive Director at Hilma’s Network, an organisation which recruits women to the Liberal Party, said it would be “mortifying” if the leadership team did not include two women.

“Previously we had just one woman out of the four leadership positions,” she said.

“Going backwards would be mortifying.”

Ms Mortlock said it would “not only be an easy target” for Labor, but it would “make our own Party look old fashioned, misogynistic and out of touch with voters.”

“It would also clearly be a decision not based on merit,” she said.

A senior Liberal source, however, said Mr Battin and Mr Groth “represent a fresh generation of leadership” for the party and a “clear break from the past”.

“Unfortunately, Jess has made it clear in recent days that she would only accept the role of Leader, effectively ruling herself out,” he said.

“Leadership should be about merit and the ability to deliver real outcomes for Victorians – not personal ambition.

“The tired trope about gender is exactly what people are sick of hearing.”

It comes as embattled Opposition Leader John Pesutto’s colleagues prepare to topple him, forcing him to contemplate his future over Christmas.

Five MPs have called for a special meeting this Friday, with senior Liberal Brad Battin understood to have up to 19 votes secured – enough to roll Mr Pesutto.

It comes after Mr Pesutto called for another meeting to readmit Moira Deeming to the party room.

The last-ditch effort to save his leadership backfired on the Liberal leader over the weekend, with colleagues labelling it a “desperate” and “self-serving” act.

One Liberal MP said it was “disappointing” that Mr Battin appeared to have “stepped away from a unity deal” with Ms Wilson.

The MP argued the former executive director at the Business Council of Australia and young mother would give the Liberal Party the best chance at winning the 2026 election.

“Victorians want to see political leaders that reflect their communities – they want to see young and capable women in positions of leadership,” they said.

“At the first opportunity, the incoming leader has failed to guarantee that his leadership team will reflect Victorians.”

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said the ongoing infighting was emblematic of the Liberal Party.

“You can change the jockey but you can’t change the horse,” he said.

“No matter who leads them, they are going to be divided down the centre 14-14.”

Originally published as John Pesutto to invoke special clause to allow remote voting at party room showdown