Victorian Liberal Party review sees Michael O’Brien lose chief of staff Brett Hogan
Opposition leader Michael O’Brien has sidelined a key figure in his team after fears of dysfunction within his office.
Victoria
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The chief of staff to opposition leader Michael O’Brien has been sidelined following a review of his office.
In an email to MPs today Mr O’Brien announced Brett Hogan would leave his team and take up an inaugural appointment as Director of Public Policy for the Victorian Liberal Party.
It follows a review of the workings of Mr O’Brien’s office by Liberal party heavyweight Brian Loughnane amid concerns it was not functioning effectively.
Several MPs have told the Herald Sun that there were long held concerns about Mr Hogan, with several pushes to have him moved out of the role.
But Mr O’Brien had remained fiercely loyal to his chief of staff, who started work with him when he took over as leader in 2018.
Prior to that Mr Hogan had worked as deputy chief of staff in former leader Matthew Guy’s office.
In an email to staff on Friday, Mr O’Brien said Mr Hogan would remain a valuable part of the Liberal Party team.
He would be responsible for identifying policy opportunities, conducting policy research, and overseeing the preparation of a policy platform ahead of the 2022 election.
“This new position will be integral to our effort to win the November 2022 election,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Brett will be working closely with my office, Shadow Ministers and MPs to ensure that our policy platform offers Victorians a clear choice and a real plan for the future of Victoria.
“I cannot think of any better person than Brett to take up this vital new role.”
Mr O’Brien described Mr Hogan’s service as “outstanding” and said he had been “amazingly hardworking, dedicated and committed to our mission.”
“I am delighted that in his new role I will continue to have access to Brett’s wise counsel and sharp political acumen,” he said.
A recruitment process is currently underway to find a replacement.
It comes amid a wider shake-up of the party with Channel 7 chief football reporter Mark Stevens set to join the team as media manager.
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