Meet Brad Battin - the man behind latest Liberal leadership challenge

After a decade in parliament, Brad Battin is challenging to lead the state Liberal Party — so does he have what it takes?

Michael O'Brien is facing a challenge from Brad Battin.

Brad Battin has long harboured ambitions to lead the state Liberal Party.

Now after a decade in parliament, as the member for Gembrook and opposition roads and youth justice spokesman, he believes it could be his time.

Mr Battin was on Monday night working the phones to ensure support for Tuesday’s challenge.

Raised in Harkaway and Berwick, the 45-year-old worked at McDonald’s and in customer service after high school before joining Victoria Police in 2001.

Posted to Dandenong police station, he completed a diploma in public safety (policing) and worked with local schools to connect young people with education, training and employment.

Mr Battin transferred to Prahran police station in 2005 where he turned his attention to alcohol-fuelled crime.

After leaving Victoria Police in 2007, he bought a Bakers Delight franchise, which he ran for three years before entering parliament.

In 2010, he was elected to state parliament after defeating Labor MP Tammy Lobato.

State Member for Gembrook and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Shadow Brad Battin is eyeing off his party’s top job.

“Starting out in the little town of Harkaway, my upbringing was assisted by the entire community — a community that assisted in the development of every child,” he told parliament in his maiden speech.

“It was here that the many neighbours helped shape my life and instilled in me the value of strong community bonds.

“The community extended beyond our street. Community involves schools, volunteer groups, local sports clubs and much more. I was lucky to have role models in my life from my hometown.”

Mr Battin said he was inspired by the Liberal ­philosophy to reduce the tax burden.

“I am a proud member of the Liberal Party and the party’s values,” he said.

“I believe if you work hard, you should be rewarded.

“I believe in lean governments that interfere less with our lives and businesses.

“I believe in rewarding those who try rather than trying to put in limits and preventing attempts.

“Government should not compete with the private sector where possible.

“Most importantly, I believe in equal opportunity for all in all areas of our lives.”

Brad Battin has served as Shadow Minister for Environment. Picture: Nathan Dyer

In 2014, he became opposition spokesman for the environment, the building industry and emergency services.

In 2017, as emergency services spokesman, Mr Battin drew criticism for his comments questioning the response time of authorities on Black Saturday.

“When we go back to February 2009, the minister should be able to tell us how many career firefighters were on the firefighting ground on 7 February for the first 5½ hours of Black Saturday. I can tell the house that it was zero,” he told parliament at the time.

He later apologised for the comment.

According to his website, he is a Geelong Football Club fan, volunteers at The Fred Hollows Foundation and coaches at Berwick Junior Football Club. The father-of-two married his high school sweetheart Jo in 1999, and lives with his family in Berwick.