The Victorian Liberal party’s tumultuous week reached a new low, following the implosion of a party now almost synonymous with political self-sabotage. The week started with optimism under Brad Battin, Pesutto’s successor as opposition leader, but quickly derailed amidst ongoing issues, including internal power struggles and a financial crisis looming over former leader John Pesutto due to a hefty defamation case.
A series of events, including a knife-related incident leading to a swift government response and the Liberals’ budget reply proposing the abolition of stamp duty for properties under $1m, failed to generate the momentum they hoped for. However, internal divisions, sparked by discussions around a potential byelection in Hawthorn if Pesutto faces bankruptcy, overshadowed these efforts. The situation worsened with the leak of a letter from Moira Deeming’s lawyers to Pesutto, signaling that bankruptcy could lead to broader party implications, including financial contributions from current and former party figures.
This development has created fractures within the party, with some calling for a more decisive leadership from Battin, and rumors of leadership challenges. The financial situation, coupled with scrutiny over expense claims by Battin’s deputy, Sam Groth, has further destabilized the party, compounding its public image problems. Despite efforts to manage the situation, including denials of wrongdoing regarding expense claims and calls for support to avoid a bankrupted Pesutto and the resulting byelection, the Victorian Liberal party finds itself in another crisis, highlighting its ongoing struggle with internal strife and the challenge of escaping its self-inflicted wounds.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/31/victorian-liberal-party-brad-battin-pain-is-only-just-beginning-ntwnfb
