Ousted leader Michael O’Brien returns to frontbench

Dumped opposition leader Michael O’Brien has been given a plum role on Matthew Guy’s frontbench as part of a pre-election shake-up.

Michael O'Brien says he’s thrilled to be returning to a senior role. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Dumped opposition leader Michael O’Brien will return to Matthew Guy’s frontbench as shadow Attorney-General.

Mr O’Brien said he was thrilled to be back in a senior role, saying he has a lot to offer in the lead up to November’s state election.

The move is part of a broader shakeup of the opposition shadow cabinet announced by Mr Guy.

Mr O’Brien was dumped as leader last year in a coup led by Mr Guy and outgoing MP Tim Smith, who served a brief stint as shadow Attorney-General before a drunken car crash derailed his career.

Many Liberals had been left frustrated by Mr O’Brien’s refusal to accept a frontbench position immediately after the coup, saying he was too talented not to be utilised.

Members of Victoria’s legal profession had been left equally frustrated by Mr Smith’s, and subsequently Matt Bach’s, appointment in the shadow Attorney-General portfolios becasue neither were lawyers.

Mr O’Brien served as a barrister before entering politics.

He said taking a senior role within the party was the “right thing to do’’.

“It’s really important. Victorians deserve a justice system, not a legal system, and that’s what I’ll be fighting for,” he said.

“Equality before the law and the rule of law are fundamental principles too often ignored under the Andrews Labor Government.

“Victoria will never recover and rebuild whilst we suffer the worst criminal court backlogs in the nation.

“Too many victims are denied closure of the trauma they’ve endured. Too many accused are denied their day in court in a reasonable time.”

Mr Guy said the shadow cabinet shakeup was about getting his team right ahead of the election.

“This is an important election for Victorians. People say this every election, that it’s never been so important, but I think this one is true.

“And for me it’s never been so important to give Victorians, not just a contest, but a change of government.

“That’s where we need to be to recover and to rebuild, to make our state number one again.

“Michael is one of the smartest performers in the parliament. To have him back on the front bench is a big advantage.”

Senior Liberals welcomed the move, and said it would bring much needed cohesion to the team.

“It’s an excellent appointment, and it will bring some much needed policy grunt to the whole show,” one said.

Outgoing shadow attorney general Matt Bach will be responsible for transport infrastructure, child protection and youth affairs.