Victorian Liberal leader appoints best man Nick McGowan as new chief of staff

Senior Victorian Liberals have described Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s appointment of his childhood friend as his chief of staff as a ‘shambles’.

Senior Victorian Liberals have described Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s appointment of his childhood friend as his chief of staff as a “shambles” which is indicative of the perilous state of his leadership.

Mr Guy’s appointment of his best man, Nick McGowan, comes after Mitch Catlin was forced to resign as chief of staff last week after it was revealed he had asked billionaire Liberal donor Jonathan Muntz to pay more than $100,000 to his private marketing business.

Multiple senior Liberals said Mr McGowan had only been offered the role after at least two other candidates — including former state Liberal director and Josh Frydenberg chief of staff Simon Frost — had turned it down.

“It’s a shambles, an absolute mess. I don’t think Matthew will survive much longer,” said one senior Liberal.

“Everyone is just waiting for the next hit, story, event. That probably explains why he could only get his childhood friend to be his CoS. Everyone else is just so scared of what’s coming.”

Another senior Liberal had a similar view, suggesting there was widespread apprehension that the leak which led to Mr Catlin’s demise was unlikely to be the last damaging hit against Mr Guy.

“Matthew was very close and regarded as being very open with the person who’s suspected of having leaked this. Everyone’s just wondering what else Matthew might have blurted out,” the Liberal said.

Nick McGowan, centre, with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy. Picture: AAP

“The worst thing is that this all just plays into Daniel Andrews’ hands.”

“Of course no one else wanted to put their hand up for the job in these circumstances. Who wants to go and give a hug to an unexploded bomb?”

Having twice run unsuccessfully as a state Liberal candidate, Mr McGowan last month beat former federal MP Gladys Liu in a preselection contest for the winnable second position on the party’s ticket for the north east metropolitan region in Victoria’s upper house.

Announcing his appointment on Monday, Mr Guy cited Victoria’s Ministerial Code of Conduct, indicating Mr McGowan would not campaign for his personal election during his ordinary work hours, and would “take leave when he lodges his nomination” with the Victorian Electoral Commission.

It is not clear whether a third individual will be appointed to act as Mr Guy’s chief of staff after nominations close on November 10, ahead of the November 26 state election.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy with former chief of staff Mitch Catlin. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Mr Guy first knew Mr McGowan when the pair were growing up in Melbourne’s northeastern suburbs, where both men joined the Liberal Party as students at La Trobe University.

While Mr Guy went on to work as an adviser to premier Jeff Kennett, Mr McGowan worked as media director for Ted Baillieu as opposition leader, and as Mr Guy’s chief of staff when he was planning minister.

Mr McGowan has also worked for the Red Cross and the UN.

Mr Guy said Mr McGowan’s first task would be to develop a code of conduct for opposition staff in Victoria.

“Nick’s core beliefs are Liberal ones. He believes in equality, individual responsibility and reward for effort,” Mr Guy said.

“Like so many Victorians, Nick understands the importance of the upcoming election and brings a total focus on delivering real solutions for all Victorians.

“I am proud to call Nick a colleague and friend and look forward to working together to deliver real solutions for all Victorians.”