Liberal Party split between millennials and the ‘old guard’ backing John Pesutto and the religious right and ‘self interested’ behind Brad Battin
John Pesutto and Brad Battin are set to face off in a bid to lead the Victoria Liberal Party in what’s been described as a “fight for the soul of the party”.
State Election
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The Victoria Liberal Party risks being further fractured over a fight for the leadership, insiders fear.
Some Liberals have quietly encouraged the leadership challenge to be abandoned, urging the party to instead unite behind one leader.
Brad Battin and John Pesutto are set to face off for the top job at a party room meeting on Thursday, with both confident they have the numbers to secure the leadership.
Hopes by some Liberals of a peace deal being brokered between the opposing sides have been dashed because they each think they can win.
“This is a fight for the soul of the party, and both sides have completely different visions,” a senior source said.
“Both candidates have got all the expectations and pressure from their respective sides.”
Sources say overwhelming support for a single candidate has not yet emerged, with the vote expected to come down to a handful of votes.
Those votes could be cast by a number of Liberal candidates who have been invited to vote on the leadership despite their seats not yet being declared.
Both Aaron Brown, who is trailing Labor as counting continues in the seat of Bass, and David Farrelly, who has a narrow lead in Pakenham, have been invited to attend the party room meeting.
Upper house candidates not yet guaranteed a place in parliament have also been invited to attend.
Both the timing of the vote and decision on who to invite has been set by outgoing leader Matthew Guy, who will return from some time away for the vote.
Sources say the party is split between millennials and the “old guard” backing Mr Pesutto, with the religious right and “self interested” behind Mr Battin.
“This is not a group working together to form government,” one senior source said.
“It is why the party membership are becoming increasingly frustrated.
“Why are they rushing? What is in the best interest of the party does not always play compared to what is in the best interests of particular individuals.
“No one is expecting they will find a leader in the next 10 minutes. There is no requirement to do so.”
It is feared a close result will lead to continued instability within the party.
Brad Rowswell, Bridget Vallence, Ryan Smith and Richard Riordan have all emerged as potential deputy leaders.
In the upper house member for Western Victoria Region Bev McArthur, from the party’s right, on Tuesday confirmed she would also run for a leadership position.
She is expected to be challenged by Georgie Crozier and David Davis.
“We need to do things differently as a Party,” Ms McArthur said.
“We need to build better relationships with cross-bench members.
“I also know it is essential that we develop a better working relationship with our membership and organisational wing.”
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