Former Senator Greg Mirabella to succeed Robert Clark as Victorian Liberals party president

A former federal senator is set to take over from Robert Clark as Victorian Liberal party president after his only other challenger pulled out of the race.

Robert Clark will not recontest his position as Victorian Liberals party president. Picture: Josie Hayden

Former federal senator Greg Mirabella is set to be the next party president for the Victorian Liberals after his only other challenger withdrew from the race.

Mr Mirabella nominated himself for the role after Robert Clark, who was once the state’s Attorney-General, announced he would resign from his leadership position at the party conference in August.

At the time, he said he believed there was a Liberal member with the skills and desire to lead the party in the lead up to the November election

Businessman Mark Borrow had also nominated for the party president role but has now decided not to contest.

Greg Mirabella is set to take over from Robert Clark.

Robert Clark steps down

The Victorian Liberals will have a new party president going into the election after Robert Clark announced he would resign from the role next month.

Former Senator Greg Mirabella is expected to put his hand up and is currently the frontrunner.

Mr Clark, a former Attorney-General and Box Hill MP, was elected to the position in 2018 following the party’s last state election in which he lost his own seat.

Since then he has faced the difficult task of moving on from the electoral defeat, repairing the party’s financial state and overseeing a push for rejuvenation with new MPs.

In a letter to members on Friday, Mr Clark said he would not recontest the position during this year’s state council, held in August, and make way for someone else.

He said the Liberals had made considerable progress under his leadership including restoring democratic preselections, moving their head office to a new site and investing the sale of their old building back into the party.

“We have dramatically boosted the party’s focus on and support for campaigns in long-held Labor held seats,” Mr Clark wrote.

“These and other reforms have provided a sound foundation for our party to win and succeed in future but they are only a foundation.

“To build on that foundation, in my view the party now needs a state president who can bring a new and different set of skills and experience to the role.”

Mr Clark said he was aware of “at least one party member” with the skills the Liberals needed and who was interested in the job, which prompted his decision not to seek re-election.

“I intend to continue to devote my time and energy to serving the Liberal cause in whatever ways I best can,” he said.

Mr Mirabella lost his Senate position at the last federal election and is expected to nominate as Mr Clark’s replacement.