Backroom Baz: Liberals leadership rumblings not going away

Opposition Leader John Pesutto was quick to shut down questions about his leadership, while over at the Labor Party MPs are loving the Premier’s ‘open door policy’.

Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto deflected questions about friction within the Liberal Party. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Baz is back, and just in time for parliament to kick off on Tuesday. Ahead of the action Liberal Party MPs headed to Bendigo for their annual “love-in”. That they all came back in one piece is quite the feat for a group that spends more time firing shots at themselves than across the political aisle. But did they really? Opposition Leader John Pesutto this week deflected questions over constant leadership rumblings, saying there was not a single utterance of leadership during the three day trip.

Well, maybe not within his earshot. But make no mistake, speculation around Pesutto’s leadership will not go away. He’s made it through the first 12 months but there are few Libs who think he’ll make it until the 2026 election.

Some say he won’t make it until winter. If some had it their way, he wouldn’t make it through another week. That is, of course, part and parcel of political life.

John Pesutto has divided opinions among the Liberal Party. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

But there appears to be a worrying theme now running throughout the Liberal parliamentary team, and broader party, that the party is not moving in as quickly in the right direction as it needs to be. There is now serious chatter about a potential change, according to senior Liberals. That claim has been shot down by others who say recent policy announcements on Treaty and the Suburban Rail Loop (that the party vehemently opposed both) had improved Pesutto’s stocks. Nevertheless, speculation around the leadership won’t go away. The question the Libs can’t work out is, if not Pesutto, then who?

The personable Premier

Speaking of leadership, on the other side of the fence it’s been four months under new Premier Jacinta Allan and reports continue to be glowing. Although Baz can’t determine whether it’s genuine praise for Allan or an indictment on her predecessor. Labor MPs are relishing in the new consultative style of government, while ministers are finally getting a chance to get their mugs on TV with Allan taking much more of a back seat than Chairman Dan ever did. Another point of difference has been access to the Premier.

MPs are loving the one-on-one time with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Getting face time with Dan was nigh on impossible, some MPs have reported. But not so anymore. Fridays in particular have turned into prime opportunities for ambitious MPs, especially regional ones, who want to get some time with Allan who spends the day in her home electorate. Baz is told some have started travelling to Bendigo to catch up with the Premier and take advantage of her open door policy. But as always with politics, it’s not all praise. Some MPs have dubbed the Premier a Christmas grinch, saying she refused to send Christmas cards out this year, a noted shift from tradition. Still, you can’t win ‘em all.

Pallas’ last budget?

Something Baz is sure ministers and MPs will be raising with the Premier is the upcoming budget.

Confirmation this week the date has been set: May 7 is when we will learn whether our finances are improving, or not. Whispers from within the government strongly suggest not at this stage, with treasurer Tim Pallas sharpening his pencil for his 10th, and likely last, budget.

This year’s budget will be Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas’ 10th. Picture: David Caird

Pallas is tipped to quit shortly after handing down the budget, and why wouldn’t he? With Victoria’s debt on track to hit a record $178bn by 2027 _ or 25 per cent of the state’s total economy _ being treasurer right now might be the toughest job in the state.

Baz is told Pallas also remains seriously peeved at his failure to secure the deputy leader gig. Well placed sources say Pallas believed he was on a promise to get the job in exchange for helping orchestrate a serious factional coup that saw seven members of the party’s Right change allegiance to the Socialist Left in a move that all but guaranteed Allan as Andrews’ successor.

Dress to impress ... unless you’re the Pres

Baz has said it before, and he’ll say it again, the parliamentary dress code really should be adhered to.

Again, upper house president Shaun Leane has shown the old idiom dress to impress is something he has no interest in paying any attention to. Photos surfaced over the summer break of el presidente donning a faded hoodie and jeans to officially welcome a delegate of Fijian ministers to the Victorian Parliament in August.

His attire was in stark contrast to the Fijians and other Labor MPs who all dressed to impress. Perhaps Leane was embracing the quiet luxury trend?

Alas no, upper house members confirmed the old hoodie is a regular feature for Leane on official business, with one member telling Baz “he simply doesn’t care”. Baz doesn’t believe that for a second. A harder working president you wouldn’t find, even if the threads need some attention.

Upper house president Shaun Leane dressed in a grey hoodie for his meeting with Fijian ministers. Picture: Supplied

Nine’s apology

She’s one of the parliament’s most colourful characters, quite literally. And Georgie Purcell certainly added a bit of colour to Spring St this week after she busted Channel 9 doctoring a photo of her to enlarge her breasts and expose her stomach.

You’d think that deserves a very personal apology, and perhaps some grovelling. Well, Baz wasn’t surprised to learn that News Director Hugh Nailon was straight on the phone to personally apologise to the Animal Justice MP.

Media sources say a nicer bloke you wouldn’t meet. Will that niceness extend to the poor staffer who doctored the image? Watch this space. Baz suspects heads might roll. There are many on Spring St who think they should.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell in her office at Parliament House, Melbourne. Picture Mark Stewart

Guess Who?

Which former political chief of staff has left Spring St to open their own legal practice?

Overheard

“Taxpayers are not going to pay for it and the party is not going to pay for it,” Opposition Leader John Pesutto on his legal bill to fight the Moira Deeming defamation case which started on Friday.