Chief of staff, communications director quit John Pesutto’s office ahead of Moira Deeming trial

The Victorian Liberal leader claims his most senior staff only ever committed to working for him for 12 months, as he faces pressure ahead of the Moira Deeming defamation battle.

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

John Pesutto’s two most senior staff members have left his office hours after the Dunkley by-election, underlining the pressure the Victorian Liberal leader is facing ahead of his defamation court battle against expelled MP Moira Deeming later this year.

Mr Pesutto claimed on Sunday that both his chief of staff Rodrigo Pintos Lopez and his communications director Nick Johnston had only ever agreed to work for him for a 12 month period, to “help set up my office”, despite having stated when he appointed them just under a year ago that Mr Pintos Lopez would “play an important role in supporting our team over the years ahead.”

Regardless of the reasons, the resignations appear to have left Mr Pesutto worse off, as he faces leadership rumblings ahead of his defamation battle with Ms Deeming later this year.

Mr Pintos Lopez came to his role with experience as a senior barrister and as the long term partner of federal Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie, and Mr Johnston is an experienced former journalist who had most recently managed communications for the Victorian chamber of commerce.

Both men were seen as high quality recruits, but days after their appointments became embroiled in the decision made by Mr Pesutto and his leadership team to expel Ms Deeming after she attended a “Let Women Speak” rally in March last year which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis.

Zoe McKenzie, right, with Rodrigo Pintos Lopez, second from left, and his sons.

Mr Pintos Lopez and Mr Johnston are being replaced by former MP Louise Staley and long term Liberal staffer Alex Woff, both of whom have been promoted from within Mr Pesutto’s office.

Ms Staley comes to the role of chief of staff having lost her lower house seat in 2022, and garnered only a handful of votes in her failed preselection bid for the upper house seat vacated by former leadership team member Matt Bach late last year.

Amid anger with Mr Pesutto as he prepares for his defamation trial against Ms Deeming in September, leadership rumblings have continued to build, although key agitators remained divided on Sunday over the imminence of any challenge.

“I think the noose is slowly tightening around Pesutto, and it could happen sooner than you think,” said one MP.

Others agreed the key obstacle was a lack of unity over an alternative leader, with Brad Battin, Sam Groth and Brad Rowswell frequently touted as contenders, but all three either appearing to have little chance of garnering the necessary numbers, or be uninterested in challenging almost three years out from the next election.

Expelled Liberal MP Moira Deeming. Photograph by Arsineh Houspian.

“When I asked Rodrigo Pintos Lopez to become chief of staff and Nick Johnston to become director of communications last year, they agreed to do so on the basis that it would be for a period of 12 months to help set-up my office,” Mr Pesutto said

“Both of them put aside successful careers in the private sector and have carried out their roles in a highly professional and respected manner that has enabled us to build the profile of the new team and take up the attack to Labor to put us in the best position to win the 2026 election.

“A year on, both Rodrigo and Nick have indicated they now want to return to the private sector. They will depart with my deep gratitude and best wishes and both have agreed to assist with a handover to their replacements.”

Mr Pesutto said he was “pleased to announce” Ms Staley’s appointment.

“Louise has worked closely with Rodrigo in the office over the past 12 months on a number of key projects,” he said.

“Louise brings a wealth of experience to the role having served as an MP for eight years and in various positions including shadow treasurer and manager of opposition business.

“I am also pleased to announce that Alex Woff has been appointed Director of Communications. Alex has worked closely with Nick as his deputy over the past year and is ideally placed to take on this new role.”