Support rolls in for John Pesutto, the MP who lost his seat on live TV

Despite potentially losing his seat, John Pesutto has won the support from those online after he graciously accepted defeat while on live TV.

Australians are praising a Liberal frontbencher’s gracious defeat after he found out he was more than likely to lose his job, live on air.

While appearing as a panellist on ABC TV as the results of the Victorian election rolled in, it became increasingly clear at the time that John Pesutto, the Shadow Attorney-General, would lose his Hawthorn seat as Labor’s numbers rolled in.

At the time, the ABC had Labor projected to win with 52.0 per cent to Liberal’s 48.0 per cent, however the results are now close and there is still a chance Mr Pesutto will maintain his seat.

AAP are claiming the result’s are at a “knife’s edge” and the ABC is reporting Mr Pesutto is leading by 0.2 per cent, despite a 8.6 per cent swing in favour of Labor.

Hawthorn, dubbed a blue-ribbon seat, has held by the Liberal party since 1955 and is one of the 60 potential seats Labor is on track to win.

Mr Pesutto was elected as the Member for Hawthorn in 2014, then he was appointed the Shadow Attorney-General.

READ MORE: Bloodbath for ‘toxic’ Liberals in vital test

Despite finding out it was almost certain he would lose, Mr Pesutto handled the situation with grace.

Poor John Pesutto. Losing your seat live on tv is brutal and he’s being extremely decent about it #VicVotes

— The Jupiter Girl (@upulie) November 24, 2018

It was a tough night for Victorian Liberal frontbencher @JohnPesutto who learned he had lost his traditionally blue-ribbon seat on live TV. #vicvotes https://t.co/YpaJwxTg4p pic.twitter.com/eknQ3r2EcA

— ABC Melbourne (@abcmelbourne) November 24, 2018

Excellent coverage tonite @abcnews #VicVotes2018 by @mjrowland68 @TamaraOudyn @barriecassidy @AntonyGreenABC @sclark_melbs For me a highlight was panellist & Lib MP @JohnPesutto. I can't recall seeing a politician handle defeat - on live TV over several hours - with such dignity.

— John Lyons (@TheLyonsDen) November 24, 2018

“The first thing that I would want to say is irrespective on the final result when it comes in, the first thing you should always do is thank the people who elected you in the first place,” Mr Pesutto said.

“So, whatever happens and it’s not looking great, but my first thought is to thank the people of Hawthorn who elected me in 2014.

“It’s certainly, in the last four years, been a great honour to serve them and I certainly hope I didn’t let them down.”

People were quick to praise Mr Pesutto and comment on how graciously he accepted the whole situation.

John Pesutto is straight up watching his job disappear before his very eyes on national television #vicvotes pic.twitter.com/HEZNM0P5vn

— Kemal Atlay (@kemal_atlay) November 24, 2018

John Pesutto and I have disagreed about almost everything for the last 4 years. But he has always maintained a personal civility and decency that I admire, and have appreciated. If he has been defeated in Hawthorn it’s a great loss to the Liberal Party.

— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) November 24, 2018

John Pesutto seems like a very decent man. How impressive/excruciating to lose your job on live TV and have the dignity to not crucify those who caused that. #vicvotes

— Di Webster (@DiWebster) November 24, 2018

Hearing you could lose your job on live TV cannot be easy, but Liberal MP @JohnPesutto handled it with incredible grace. He would be a huge loss for the Liberals https://t.co/b2IOzLaeWz

— Annika Smethurst (@annikasmethurst) November 24, 2018

While some expressed how thankful they were for Mr Pesutto’s term, he was even praised by the Victorian Attorney-General, Martin Pakula, who said Mr Pesutto’s loss was a “great loss to the Liberal Party”. While others suggested the Liberal Party take note of the support he was receiving on social media.

John Pesutto and I have disagreed about almost everything for the last 4 years. But he has always maintained a personal civility and decency that I admire, and have appreciated. If he has been defeated in Hawthorn it’s a great loss to the Liberal Party.

— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) November 24, 2018

Win or lose, I'm thankful that all Victoria was able to see the decency and humility I've witnessed day in and day out from John Pesutto over the past 4 years on full display. Leadership is about setting an example. More than anyone on #SpringSt John is a true leader and example.

— Xavier Boffa (@XavierBoffa) November 24, 2018

Interesting to watch the outpouring of support for @JohnPesutto on twitter tonight. Perhaps the LNP should look to him for leadership if they want reform

— Asher Wolf (@Asher_Wolf) November 24, 2018

The outcome of the election was certainly a blow for the Liberal Party, while the Victorian Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy, is facing mounting pressure for him to step down.

The Labor Party will maintain a majority, projected to win 61 of the 88 seats in parliament, after going into the election with just 45.

Hadn’t heard of John Pesutto until tonight but he seems a nice enough guy. He would certainly have been a better leader for the Libs tonight than lobster boy. #vicvotes

— Stephen (@TheAviator1992) November 24, 2018

John Pesutto is a very decent person. If he loses, the Liberal landscape has been transformed

— John Ferguson@theoz (@fergusonjw) November 24, 2018