Upper house MP Matt Bach emerges as wildcard leadership option

Matt Bach has emerged as a wildcard option to be a “fresh start” for the Liberals, with broad support among both progressives and conservatives within the party.

Upper house Liberal MP Matt Bach has emerged as a wildcard option to lead the party.

Four confirmed contenders are in the mix after Matt Guy announced he would resign as leader following a second crushing election loss.

Party sources said there was broad support for Mr Bach among both progressives and conservatives, with hopes he could bridge the divide that had challenged the party’s stability.

But it was thought his only pathway to the top job would be to nominate for the lower house seat of Bulleen if Mr Guy decides to quit politics.

However the Herald Sun has confirmed the option of Mr Bach leading from the upper house is being openly canvassed among senior party figures.

“The only obstacle is the party’s constitution, which says the leader must either be in the lower house or be able to be in the lower house within three months,” a source said.

“However if Matt can get the support to lead, he could get the support to change the constitution.

Liberal sources said there was broad support for Matt Bach among both progressives and conservatives. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“They’re our rules, it’s not a parliamentary condition that the leader of the opposition sit in the lower house.”

Party figures said crucial to Mr Bach’s appeal was the fact that he joined parliament in 2020, and has no connection to the party’s 2018 election loss.

“There is a mood for generational change, MPs want a fresh start,” a source said.

He has also impressed in his roles as shadow minister for portfolios including transport infrastructure, child protection and youth justice.

As a practising Christian the former school teacher would also be able to appeal to the more conservative members of the party.

Former Hawthorn MP John Pesutto, who has a small lead over teal candidate Melissa Lowe in the marginal seat, has confirmed he will challenge to lead the party if returned to parliament.

There is concern among some MPs that Mr Pesutto, who was elected in 2014 but lost his seat in 2018, is part of the “old guard” and is not the right choice to move the party forward.

There is also a view among some that the new leader should be from an outer suburban seat where the party should be working to gain support, not its traditional inner-eastern heartland.

John Pesutto. Picture: David Crosling

Brad Battin. Picture: Josie Hayden

Ryan Smith, Richard Riordan and Brad Battin, who challenged for the leadership last year, will also run for the top job.

“The election has highlighted the need for a new start for the Victorian Liberal Party, and to focus on policy in line with our values and the communities we represent,” Mr Battin said.

“After consideration and using the experience of working the Berwick electorate and having a proven track record, I will be putting my name forward.

“I look forward to discussing this further with my colleagues.”

Mr Battin unsuccessfully challenged former leader Michael O’Brien for the leadership in March last year, forcing his resignation from the party’s front bench.

He was later returned to a senior position after Mr Guy successfully challenged for the leadership.

Jess Wilson, who looks set to be elected to the seat of Kew, is already being touted as a potential deputy leader.