Victorian Liberals pick next leader after election result

A re-elected MP who famously lost his seat live on air during the 2018 Victorian election has been chosen as the Liberals’ new leader.

The Victorian Liberals have chosen their new leader two weeks after a dramatic loss at the state election.

John Pesutto was elected in a party room meeting on Thursday morning after facing off in a vote with Brad Battin, MP for Gembrook.

New Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto at Parliament House after winning the Liberal leadership vote. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mr Pesutto narrowly beat incumbent Labor member John Kennedy and teal Melissa Lowe to snatch the seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne’s leafy inner east last week.

The former shadow attorney-general famously lost his seat to Mr Kennedy live during an election broadcast in 2018.

Mr Pesutto, who worked as a lawyer and consultant, is a moderate, unlike Mr Battin, who represents the party’s right-wing faction.

Mr Pesutto was re-elected to the seat of Hawthorn. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mr Pesutto told reporters he was in a hopeful mood before the Liberals voted on Thursday.

“I’m feeling very positive today. We’ll see how we go. We’ll all know in a few minutes’ time,” he said.

“But it’s really now for the party room to make a very important decision and I want to emphasise whatever the decision, we’re all going to get behind it.”

John Pesutto has been chosen as the Victorian Liberals’ new leader. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Mr Battin said he backs the party’s leader choice “100 per cent” despite the result going against him.

“Let me assure you, I walk out of that party room today with my integrity in place,” he said.

“I will back John Pesutto 100 per cent … I am a very proud Liberal. The only message I send to all of my colleagues (is) ‘get behind John’.”

In his efforts to reclaim the seat, Mr Pesutto said he and his team doorknocked 80 per cent of homes in Hawthorn, a seat of 50,000 voters, over the past year.

Member for Caulfield David Southwick was re-elected to his position as Deputy Leader, defeating Warrandyte MP Ryan Smith.