Key Pesutto staffer Rebecca Burdick Davies resigns as confidence grows among Libs

Oppostion Leader John Pesutto has lost another key staffer in the latest in a raft of major changes to his team, which is growing confident of a 2026 election win.

Oppostion Leader John Pesutto has lost another key staffer as confidence increases among his team of a 2026 election win.

The Herald Sun can reveal policy director Rebecca Burdick Davies has resigned from her role to pursue new opportunities in the new year.

Ms Burdick Davies, who started in the role last November, finishes up after just over a year in the job.

She was considered crucial to the party’s plan to secure seats in Melbourne’s west.

She is the latest in a raft of major changes in Mr Pesutto’s team this year

In March former chief of staff Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez and media director Nick Johnston both quit the office.

In March former chief of staff Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez and media director Nick Johnston both quit the office. Picture: Acumen Advisory

In May former policy director Courtney Mann, the Liberal’s candidate in the Mulgrave by-election triggered by Daniel Andrews’ resignation last year, resigned while a second policy staffer was forced out in a push by the office to recruit new blood and fresh ideas.

Party sources said Ms Burdick Davies was one of Mr Pesutto’s closest advisers.

Confidence is building within the Victorian Liberals about the possibility the Coalition can form government in 2026 for just the second time since 1999.

Polling this week showed Mr Pesutto had extended the party’s primary vote lead over Labor who continued to trail behind the Coalition on a two-party-preferred vote 51 to 49.

Victorian Liberals are bracing for the verdict in the much-hyped defamation battle between Mr Pesutto and exiled MP Moira Deeming, which could be handed down as early as next week.

Most MPs agree that Mr Pesutto’s leadership would survive anything but a “catastrophic” finding.

Mr Pesutto on Friday denied that Ms Burdick Davies’ decision was a blow to his office, saying he had “lots of talented people” on his team.

“Staff come and go in political offices all the time,” he said.

“I wish Rebecca well.”

Mr Pesutto said the policy director was stepping aside for personal reasons but refused to go into any further detail.

“Rebecca has very personal reasons with her family for wanting to move on,” he said.