Pre-election shake-up in Michael O’Brien’s office

There is growing speculation of a leadership challenge in the Victorian Liberal Party as Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien announces an office shake-up.

Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien has appointed a new chief of staff in a pre-election office shake-up.

Liberal Party Director of Communications Mitch Grayson has been promoted to the key role, replacing Brett Hogan who was sidelined earlier this month.

It followed a review of the workings of Mr O’Brien’s office by Liberal party heavyweight Brian Loughnane amid concerns it was not functioning effectively.

Sources have described the critical appointment as a sign Mr O’Brien’s could lead the party to the 2022 election despite ongoing rumblings about his leadership.

It comes just weeks after he was described as a “dead man walking” by key party figures who warned of an imminent fresh leadership challenge as soon as the party could meet again in person.

Mr O’Brien left many of his colleagues incensed after he appeared to backflip on the party’s position on border closures, criticising the government for being too slow to close the border to New South Wales.

Under-fire opposition leader Michael O'Brien.

New chief of staff Mitch Grayson

Ongoing gathering restrictions scuttled plans for a party room meeting next week.

It is understood major business leaders have been left infuriated by the performance of the Liberal Party, with many blaming Mr O’Brien’s perceived inability to land a blow on the government.

But the worsening outbreak in New South Wales is believed to have fended off any imminent leadership challenge.

One party source told the Herald Sun: “It is still likely to happen. It’s just a matter of timing. O’Brien does not have the majority support of MPs.”

Mr O’Brien has already survived one leadership challenge this year, with then shadow minister Brad Battin failing to get the numbers for a spill.

The move caused a deep divide in the party that meant any subsequent challenge would be doomed to fail.

Supporters of Mr O’Brien say he remains the party’s best hope and that he is polling better than former Liberal leader Ted Baillieu before he went on to win the 2010 election.

Recent polling shows Labor still lead the Coalition on a two party preferred basis 52.4 per cent to 47.6 per cent.

But ahead of the 2010 election Labor were further ahead, 56 per cent to 44 per cent, and Mr Baillieu was less popular than Mr O’Brien.

Former leader Matthew Guy, who Mr O’Brien replaced in 2018, has repeatedly ruled out any interest in the job.

Mr Hogan, who was Mr O’Brien’s chief of staff since December 2018, will now begin an appointment as Director of Public Policy for the Victorian Liberal Party.

It comes amid a wider shake-up of the party with Channel 7 chief football writer Mark Stevens joining the team as Media Manager.

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