The days appear numbered for Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto, as speculation mounts that Brad Battin, a former police officer turned politician, has secured enough support to challenge for the top job. An internal revolt has been brewing since Pesutto’s controversial handling of rebel MP Moira Deeming, culminating in a major backflip to readmit her to the party room.
Battin Rallies Allies for Leadership Tilt
Despite enjoying strong polling, Pesutto now faces an imminent spill motion called by five MPs, including Battin, for this Friday. It marks Battin’s third attempt at securing the Liberal leadership, having previously fallen short against Michael O’Brien in 2021 and losing by a single vote to Pesutto after the 2022 election defeat.
But this time, Battin appears to have rallied enough support from both the conservative and moderate factions to finally clinch the top job. His backers tout him as a “normal bloke” who can relate to people from all walks of life – seen as a key asset for broadening the party’s appeal beyond its traditional base.
From Cop to Politician: Battin’s Unconventional Rise
Battin’s path to politics has been unconventional. Raised in Melbourne’s outer southeast, he dropped out of school at 15 to work various jobs before joining the police force. He reached the rank of senior constable before leaving in 2007 to open a Bakers Delight franchise, around the same time he joined the Liberal Party.
Working for Victoria Police was the “greatest job on earth”.
Brad Battin reflecting on his time in law enforcement
Battin won the seat of Gembrook in 2010, holding it until a redistribution in 2022 when he shifted to the new electorate of Berwick. Throughout his political career, he’s championed a “tough on crime” stance while also advocating for progressive criminal justice reforms like raising the age of criminal responsibility.
Stunts and Strategies: Battin’s Colorful Campaigns
Known for his colorful media stunts, Battin once held a bizarre press conference alongside a self-described “amateur Sherlock Holmes” in an attempt to reignite scrutiny over Daniel Andrews’ 2013 car crash. He also parked a van outside parliament emblazoned with “Drunk? Get in” to protest decriminalization of public drunkenness.
But Battin has also outlined a unique strategy for reviving Liberal fortunes, focused on engaging multicultural communities and targeting growth corridors – aligning more with the federal party’s direction under Peter Dutton than Pesutto’s efforts to recapture small-l liberal voters.
Uniting a Divided Party Room
The leadership turmoil comes despite the Coalition hitting its best polling numbers in years, even with Pesutto as preferred premier. But as history shows, strong personal ratings haven’t stopped the Victorian Liberals from ditching leaders in the past.
If Battin does seize the leadership, his biggest challenge will be uniting a chronically divided party room. Some are pushing for moderate MP Jess Wilson to be appointed deputy to balance the ticket, but Battin is expected to back former tennis pro Sam Groth – a pick critics say will make harmony “all the more challenging”.
To put a completely male leadership team up against Jacinta Allan and argue they are the modern face of the Liberal Party is just laughable.
A Liberal MP on the optics of a Battin-Groth combo
Others warn that without a “disciplined grip” on his backers, Battin could face the same destabilizing forces that brought down his predecessors. As one veteran Liberal lamented: “It’s the same shit, different year.”
The Road Ahead for Battin and the Liberals
If Battin does ascend to the leadership, he’ll need to prove he can succeed where the last four opposition leaders have failed – presenting a unified and credible alternative to Premier Daniel Andrews’ Labor government.
His unique background, strategic vision, and broad factional backing give him a solid foundation. But Battin will need to swiftly stamp out internal unrest, articulate a compelling policy agenda, and avoid the gaffes and stunts that have sometimes overshadowed his message.
For the Victorian Liberal Party, this latest leadership churn marks another chapter in a turbulent post-election era. Whether Battin is the man to finally steady the ship and chart a course back to power remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – the eyes of Spring Street will be keenly trained on this Friday’s party room showdown.
