Concerns over Nick Johnston’s commitment to the Liberal cause after revelations he applied to work for Daniel Andrews

There are serious concerns within the Liberal Party over revelations the party’s high-profile recruit previously applied to work for Daniel Andrews.

Opposition leader John Pesutto has praised Nick Johnson for his ‘more than 30 years’ experience on both sides of the media’. Picture: David Crosling

The Victorian Liberals are in fresh turmoil over revelations the party’s new media boss previously applied to work for Daniel Andrews.

Nick Johnston is due to start his role with the Opposition later this month, after leaving his job as the general manager of media and communications at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry this week.

But he has already been forced onto the back foot with key Liberals, with the Herald Sun learning he has previously applied to work in the Premier’s private office.

Mr Johnston sought two roles in Mr Andrews’ office – senior media adviser and a press secretary – in February 2021, before he landed a job with the Property Council.

Nick Johnston is due to start his role with the Opposition later this month.

“It appears he doesn’t know if he’s Arthur or Martha, ­Liberal or Labor,” one Labor source said.

The surprise applications have prompted Liberal figures to raise serious concerns about Mr Johnston’s commitment to the Liberal cause, with one warning it will cause him “grief internally” before he even starts the job.

Mr Johnston had previously been offered a job by the Andrews government in 2015. He was also offered a role by the Coalition government led by Ted Baillieu.

Both Mr Johnston and opposition leader John Pesutto declined to comment on the matter on Thursday.

As the Liberals’ new director of communications and strategy, Mr Johnston will have the job of helping rebuild the party ahead of the 2026 election.

Senior Liberal sources said after years of turmoil in the party’s media unit, there was an expectation Mr Johnston would remain in the job for two terms.

“This is a career move, not a short stopover,” one senior Liberal said. “Ideally we’d love to see Nick here for two terms, building from the ground up and consolidating the team.”

Mr Johnston replaces Alex Woff, who managed the media unit during last year’s election campaign. He will continue in the role of director of media.

Mr Woff had been elevated to the top job after former Queensland government media director Lee Anderson quit abruptly in the fallout of the Mitch Catlin donor scandal. And Mr Anderson had replaced Mitch Grayson, who left the role after becoming chief of staff to former leader Michael O’Brien.

Mr Pesutto said earlier this week: “With more than 30 years’ experience on both sides of the media, Mr Johnston has enjoyed a distinguished career as a journalist, including stints covering state and federal politics for The Age, the ABC and Nine. He has also held a number of senior communications roles including with the AFL, GWS Giants and the Property Council of Australia.”

Mr Johnston is due to start in the new role on March 14.