Shannon Deery: Pesutto passes crucial Warrandyte by-election test

If the Warrandyte by-election was a crucial test for Opposition Leader John Pesutto, he passed it emphatically.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto has passed a crucial test. Picture: Valeriu Campan

If the Warrandyte by-election was a crucial test for Opposition Leader John Pesutto, he passed it emphatically.

The resounding victory should silence even the fiercest of his critics.

It might for a little while.

But there is an insatiable, almost inexplicable appetite for change within the Liberal Party.

In the eight months since Pesutto took over he has faced consistent criticism from within the party.

There are the usual suspects who, because of their factional alignment, will take issue with almost anything he does.

They of course can’t be simply swept aside as factional outliers.

They carry significant numbers, have the ability to attract more, and won’t hesitate to make a move if they deem it necessary.

Then there are those that are in Pesutto’s corner.

Nicole Werner celebrates her win in the Warrandyte by-election with party leader John Pesutto and husband Fraser at the North Ringwood Bowls Club. Picture: Mark Stewart

Even among that grouping some, more recently, have been wavering in their loyalty, given his leadership had failed to spark a significant turnaround.

As recently as last month the Liberal’s primary vote was in free fall, hitting a record low.

At the same time, Daniel Andrews remained doubly as popular as Pesutto.

It prompted very serious talks of a leadership challenge that never got off the ground because of internal disagreements about how best to proceed.

Liberals at the time steadfastly denied Pesutto’s leadership was in danger.

But it was, as some are only too happy to admit now, and the danger was very real.

It is Pesutto’s political Judgement that had underscored the concerns of his critics.

Whether it’s the way he handled the expulsion of Moira Deeming, his vision for the party or his ability to tackle Labor head on.

Pesutto is adamant that he is on the right track to win government in 2026.

Last night’s result is vindication of that view.

Any doubt about his ability to cut through must surely now be put to bed.

The government has moved from crisis to crisis since its horror May budget, and Pesutto’s consistent messaging has had an impact.

Agitators pushing for change were privately warning that if the party didn’t see a swing of at least 4 per cent towards it, he would be in strife.

It was tracking in excess of a 10 per cent swing in what ended a truly one horse race.

Pesutto believes a new dawn has risen on the back of the result.

But it will take three more years of a united team to make it count.