Victorian Liberals new director Stuart Smith replaces Sam McQuestin

Stuart Smith was endorsed at a meeting on Thursday night, beating a field of more than 70 contenders for the role.

Stuart Smith has been appointed as the state director of the Victorian Liberals.

Stuart Smith has been endorsed as the new state director of the Victorian Liberal Party.

Mr Smith, who will leave his role as director of the Western Australian branch to take

up the new job, was endorsed at a meeting of the powerful admin committee on Thursday night.

He was recommended by an executive selection panel that included opposition leader John Pesutto, party president Greg Mirabella and federal MP, and key backer, Dan Tehan.

Mr Smith beat a field of more than 70 contenders including former Victorian MP Louise Staley and Catholic Church executive Mike Poutney who were also in the mix.

He replaces outgoing director Sam McQuestin who flagged his resignation with the party ahead of November’s election defeat.

Mr Smith also replaced Mr McQuestin as Tasmanian director in 2019.

He took the reins of the Western Australian branch after the party suffered an electoral wipe-out in 2021.

“Ideally he’ll stay with us longer than 18 months,” one senior Liberal figure said.

“He’s very well regarded. Hopefully he can sort out some of the problems we’ve faced.”

Mr Smith is regarded as a highly professional and experienced political campaigner who has worked across multiple federal election campaigns.

He also served as Assistant Federal Director in 2016.

But his appointment has caused angst among some members of the party who had hoped a woman might be appointed to the role.

Mr Smith’s appointment completes a comprehensive reset of the party under new leader Mr Pesutto.

Since starting in the role he has appointed former Baillieu government adviser Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez has his chief of staff.

Nick Johnston, most recently at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been brought in to manage the party’s media strategy.

Nick Johnston, most recently at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been brought in to manage the party’s media strategy.