Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett ‘confident’ Opposition Leader John Pesutto can win government

Former Liberal premiers say Opposition Leader John Pesutto has what it takes to win government — but there’s one thing he must change to unite his party.

Former Liberal premiers have thrown their support behind Opposition Leader John Pesutto, and say they’re confident he can lead the party to government.

Amid ongoing internal tensions that continue to destabilise Mr Pesutto’s leadership they say it is time for the party to unite behind him.

“While people may question John’s leadership, he is the leader, he is entitled to expect the support of the entire party,” Jeff Kennett said.

“And for those who argue or question his ability, can I remind you that when we won in 1992, we had been constructively attacking the government.

“We had developed our policies quite clearly and distinctly. I was not, as leader of the party, more popular than the premier.

“People weren’t voting for me. Governments lose, opposition’s don’t win. That will be the case at the next election.

“It’s not about whether John is popular or not, in my opinion, it’s about whether he and the team prove themselves to be worthy, to be united, and to have the blueprint for how they are going to manage the state.”

Former premier Jeff Kennett says John Pesutto can led the Liberals to government. Picture: Aaron Francis

Mr Kennett, who led the state between 1992 and 1999, said a key to party unite was putting an end to the legal action brought by expelled MP Moira Deeming.

“I would like to think she and John could have a rapprochement and we don’t have to continue this public dispute between them,” Mr Kennett said.

“I think that is my overwhelming desire.

I don’t want to see Liberals fighting with Liberals arguing against Liberals.

“I want to see them doing the job that the public expect of them, that I expect of them, holding the government to account and then proving that they have a plan.”

Mr Kennett said it was vital the party focus and stay disciplined in their questioning of the government.

Victorian premier Ted Baillieu said Pesutto was “incredibly determined”.

“It’s not about promising more. It’s about putting together a blueprint for how Victorians are going to live through the next two or three decades,” he

Since taking over the leadership of the party in December, Mr Pesutto has been dogged by internal feuding and has faced speculation about potential leadership challenges.

Polling in June showed support for opposition had dropped significantly, while Mr Pesutto trailed Daniel Andrews as preferred premier, picking up 26 per cent of the vote compared to Mr Andrews’ 49 per cent.

Ted Baillieu, the last Liberal to lead the party to electoral victory, said Mr Pesutto was “incredibly determined”.

“He knows where the party’s got to be if it’s going to have a chance, and he knows it’s going to take time and you’ve got to set some ground rules,” Mr Baillieu said.

“Working as a team is part of the ground rules, and he’s set that standard.”

Denis Napthine, who succeeded Mr Baillieu as Victoria’s last Liberal Premier, said Mr Pesutto was doing “a great job in a challenging climate”.

“At the same time Daniel Andrews is finally being held to account for his mismanagement of the Commonwealth Games, so many stuffed up projects, and a myriad of broken promises, plus the complete mismanagement of the state’s finances.”