2024 Victorian Liberal Party leadership spill

Leader selection contests within Victoria's opposition party

2024 Victorian Liberal Party
leadership spill

* * *

| <- 2022 | 27 December 2024 |

|
|

Spill motion

|  |

|
|

Candidate  | John Pesutto | Spill motion
Seat  | Hawthorn | –
Faction  | Moderate | –

Leadership election

|  |  |

|
|

Candidate  | Brad Battin | Jess Wilson
Seat  | Berwick |  Kew
Faction  | Conservative | Moderate

* * *

| Leader before election

John Pesutto

| Elected Leader

TBC

|

Deputy leadership election

|  |

|
|

Candidate  | David Southwick | Sam Groth (presumed)
Seat  | Caulfield | Nepean
Faction  | Moderate | Unaligned

* * *

| Deputy before election

David Southwick

| Elected Deputy

TBC

|

A leadership spill is expected to take place on 27 December 2024 to elect the leader of the Victorian Liberal Party and, ex officio, Leader of the Opposition.[1][2]

The spill will occur two weeks after the Federal Court ruled Pesutto had defamed Independent Liberal MP Moira Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room in 2023 after attending an anti-trans rally that had also been attended by a neo-Nazi group.[3][4]

The positions of deputy leader, leader in the Legislative Council and deputy leader in the Legislative Council are also expected to be spilled.[5]

## Background

[edit]

### 2022 leadership election

[edit]

Main article: 2022 Victorian Liberal Party leadership election

Following the Liberal−National Coalition's defeat at the 2022 Victorian state election, Matthew Guy announced he would resign as Liberal leader.[6] At a leadership election on 8 December 2022, John Pesutto − who had been elected as the member for Hawthorn at the state election − defeated Brad Battin, the member for Berwick, by 17 votes to 16.[7][8]

### Deeming expulsion and defamation case

[edit]

Main article: Moira Deeming § Political career

On 18 March 2023, Liberal MP Moira Deeming spoke at an anti-trans rally. The rally was also attended by the neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network (NSN) and its leader Thomas Sewell.[9]

In a public statement, Pesutto described Deeming's position as "untenable" due to her "involvement in organising, promoting and participating in a rally with speakers and other organisers who themselves have been publicly associated with far right-wing extremist groups including neo-Nazi activists".[10] He then moved to expel her from the Liberal party room.[10]

Deeming subsequently threatened to sue Pesutto for defamation over his comments.[11] On 12 May 2023, Liberal MPs voted 19 votes to 11 to expel her from the party room.[12] Deeming moved to the crossbench and sat as an Independent Liberal.[13][14]

In December 2023, after months of attempted mediation failed, Deeming filled a civil complaint against Pesutto, saying that she had been falsely accused of being an associate of "neo-Nazi sympathisers and extremists".[15] Pesutto denied Deeming's claims, stating that he had never called her a "neo-Nazi, white supremacist or anything similar".[16]

### Defamation verdict and Deeming readmission vote

[edit]

On 12 December 2024, the Federal Court of Australia ruled that Pesutto had defamed Deeming, and he was ordered to pay her $300,000.[17] Pesutto said he was "very disappointed" by the verdict, but would not step down as leader.[18][19] One day later, Nepean MP Sam Groth resigned from the shadow ministry, saying that "in good conscience, [he could] no longer continue to serve" in his roles as Shadow Minister for Youth and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events.[20][21]

A vote was held on 20 December 2024 on a motion to readmit Deeming to the Liberal party room.[22] The vote was tied at 14−14 (with two MPs absent) and Pesutto used his casting vote to break the tie, although he said it was technically not needed because the motion required an "absolute majority" of 16 out of 30 MPs to pass.[23][24]

### Spill announced

[edit]

On 22 December 2024, Pesutto called a second meeting to discuss readmitting Deeming, which would be held on 15 January 2025.[25] He said that since the meeting on 20 December, "it has become clear that there is now a definite absolute majority of my colleagues who want this issue resolved".[25] Pesutto apologised to Deeming in his statement, and stated that there was a need for the Liberals to concentrate on the upcoming by-elections in Prahran and Werribee.[25][26]

Several hours later, The Age reported that Pesutto was going to face a leadership challenge from Brad Battin on 27 December 2024.[1] A letter calling for a special meeting was signed by Battin, Groth, James Newbury, Bridget Vallence and Richard Riordan.[27] The meeting will bring forward the discussion on Deeming's readmission – instead of it happening in January 2025 – and is also expected to result in a spill occurring.[27][28]

On 24 December (Christmas Eve), Pesutto emailed Liberal MPs to inform them that he would allow members to vote remotely at the meeting, with Cindy McLeish and Nick McGowan unable to attend in-person.[2] Newbury accused Pesutto of breaching the party's constitution in favour of his personal interests, as McLeish was known to be a supporter of Pesutto in the past.[29] The Australian reported on 26 December that Battin had called Pesutto to inform him that he would challenge for the leadership.[30] Kew MP Jess Wilson announced publicly on the same day that if a spill motion was successful, she would contest the leadership.[31][32]

## Candidates

[edit]

### Leader

[edit]

#### Declared

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Announced  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|
|

|  | John Pesutto | Hawthorn | Moderate[33][34] | Incumbent |

* Leader of the Opposition (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs (2022–present)

|  | Brad Battin | Berwick | Conservative[2] | 26 December 2024 |

* Shadow Minister for Police (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Corrections (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Criminal Justice Reform (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Youth Justice (2023–present)
* Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention and Victim Support (2023–present)

|  | Jess Wilson[26] | Kew | Moderate[2][35] | 26 December 2024  |

* Shadow Minister for Youth (2022–2024)
* Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events (2022–2024)

#### Speculated

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|

|  | Chris Crewther[36][37] | Mornington | Conservative[38] |

* Member for Mornington (2022–present)

|  | Sam Groth[26][39] | Nepean |  |

* Shadow Minister for Youth (2022–2024)
* Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events (2022–2024)

| Matthew Guy[40][41][42] | Bulleen |  |

* Shadow Minister for Public Transport (2023–present)
* Leader of the Opposition (2014–2018; 2021–2022)

|  | James Newbury[40][41][42] | Brighton | Moderate[43] |

* Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Equality (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Planning (2023–present)

|  | Michael O'Brien[40][41][42] | Malvern | Moderate[44] |

* Shadow Attorney-General (2022–present)
* Leader of the Opposition (2018–2021)

|  | Brad Rowswell[40][41][42] | Sandringham | Moderate[33] |

* Shadow Treasurer (2022–present)

|  | Kim Wells[45][46] | Rowville | Conservative |

* Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly (1992–present)
* Treasurer of Victoria (2010–2013)

### Deputy leader

[edit]

#### Expected to contest

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Announced  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|
|

| David Southwick | Caulfield | Moderate[33][47] | Incumbent |

* Deputy Leader of the Opposition (2021–present)
* Shadow Minister for Major Projects (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Cost of Living (2023–present)

#### Speculated

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|

|  | Sam Groth[5] | Nepean |  |

* Shadow Minister for Youth (2022–2024)
* Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events (2022–2024)

|  | Jess Wilson[5] | Kew | Moderate[2][35] |

* Shadow Minister for Youth (2022–2024)
* Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events (2022–2024)

### Leader in Legislative Council

[edit]

#### Expected to contest

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Announced  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|
|

|  | Georgie Crozier[5] | Southern Metropolitan | Moderate[33] | Incumbent |

* Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Health (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Ambulance Services (2022–present)

#### Speculated

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|

|  | David Davis[5] | Southern Metropolitan | Moderate[48][49] |

* Shadow Minister for Arts and Creative Industries (2022–present)
* Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security (2023–present)
* Shadow Minister for the SEC (2023–present)
* Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council (2008–2010; 2018–2022)

### Deputy Leader in Legislative Council

[edit]

#### Expected to contest

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Announced  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|
|

| Evan Mulholland[5] | Northern Metropolitan | Conservative[38][50] | Incumbent |

* Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council (2023–present)
* Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability (2023–present)
* Shadow Minister for Outer Suburban Growth (2023–present)

#### Speculated

[edit]

Candidate  | Electorate  | Faction  | Portfolio(s)

|
|
|

|  | Bev McArthur[51] | Western Victoria | Conservative[52][53] |

* Member for Western Victoria Region (2018–present)

|  | Joe McCracken[5] | Western Victoria | Conservative[38][54] |

* Member for Western Victoria Region (2022–present)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Rooney, Kieran; Eddie, Rachel (22 December 2024). "John Pesutto to face leadership spill on Friday". The Age. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
2. ^ a b c d e Kolovos, Benita (24 December 2024). "Embattled John Pesutto makes bid to shore up support ahead of Victorian Liberal leadership spill". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
3. ^ Kolovos, Benita (12 May 2023). "Moira Deeming expelled from Victorian Liberal party room after threat to sue leader John Pesutto". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
4. ^ Asher, Nicole; Willingham, Richard; Wong, Leanne (12 December 2024). "Moira Deeming wins defamation case against John Pesutto, judge orders $300k in damages". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
5. ^ a b c d e f g Kolovos, Benita (22 December 2024). "John Pesutto facing Friday leadership spill as Victorian Liberals pull forward party room meeting". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
6. ^ "Matthew Guy to resign as Liberal leader after second Victorian election defeat". ABC News. 27 November 2022. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
7. ^ Sakkal, Paul (8 December 2022). "John Pesutto new Liberal leader after party's 'embarrassing' defeat". The Age. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
8. ^ McCubbing, Gus (8 December 2022). "John Pesutto wins Liberal leadership in Victoria by one vote". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
9. ^ Kohn, Peter (12 May 2023). "Victorian Liberals expel Moira Deeming". Australian Jewish News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
10. ^ a b Kolovos, Benita (20 March 2023). "Moira Deeming vows to fight expulsion push over involvement in protest attended by neo-Nazis". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
11. ^ Smethurst, Annika; Carmody, Broede (11 May 2023). "Deeming fires off defamation threat to Pesutto". The Age. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
12. ^ Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Carmody, Broede (12 May 2023). "Liberal MPs vote to expel Deeming". The Age. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
13. ^ Staszewska, Ewa (12 May 2023). "Moira Deeming expelled from Victorian Liberal Party after allegedly serving John Pesutto with defamation concerns notice". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024. "The result will mean Ms Deeming remains in parliament as an independent Liberal after having been stripped of her whip position when she was suspended for nine months in March."
14. ^ Schmidt, Nathan (20 November 2023). "Controversial MP Moira Deeming to sue Liberal leader after party expulsion". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024. "Victoria Independent Liberal MP Moira Deeming has expressed her gratitude to the state Liberal Party for supporting her push for an inquiry into gender-affirming care for children."
15. ^ "Victorian MP Moira Deeming lodges defamation suit against Liberal leader John Pesutto". ABC News. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
16. ^ Silva, Kristian; Willingham, Richard (2 February 2024). "John Pesutto 'not concerned' as legal battle with Moira Deeming heads to Federal Court trial". ABC News. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
17. ^ Sarre, Rick; Livings, Ben (12 December 2024). "Moira Deeming's defamation win shows nobody can play fast and loose with language – not even politicians". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
18. ^ Cosoleto, Tara Cosoleto; Ton, William (12 December 2024). "Liberal leader to 'keep fighting' after defamation loss". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
19. ^ Kolovos, Benita (12 December 2024). "John Pesutto defies calls to resign after being ordered to pay $300,000 for defaming Moira Deeming". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
20. ^ Willingham, Richard (13 December 2024). "Victorian Liberal MP Sam Groth resigns from opposition frontbench, casting shadow on John Pesutto's leadership". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
21. ^ Bennett, Emily (13 December 2024). "Victorian Liberal MP Sam Groth announces resignation from frontbench after leader's defamation loss". 9News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
22. ^ Kohn, Peter (20 December 2024). "Push to reinstate Deeming fails". Australian Jewish News. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
23. ^ "Victorian Liberal MPs vote to keep Moira Deeming out of parliamentary party in split-decision vote". ABC News. 20 December 2024. Archived from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
24. ^ "Moira Deeming's bid to return to Victorian Liberals blocked by party leader John Pesutto". SBS News. 20 December 2024. Archived from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
25. ^ a b c "Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto apologises to Moira Deeming, calls new vote". ABC News. 22 December 2024. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
26. ^ a b c "Pesutto backflips on Deeming – calls for new vote". OUTinPerth. 22 December 2024. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
27. ^ a b MacFarlane, Natasha (22 December 2024). "Victorian opposition to vote on John Pesutto's future as leader after four MPs seek special meeting". ABC News. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
28. ^ "Is John Pesutto facing a leadership spill? The drama within the Victorian Liberals". SBS News. 22 December 2024. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
29. ^ Jaeger, Carla; Carmody, Broede; Rooney, Kieran (24 December 2024). "'Gutless': War of words breaks out over remote voting in Liberal showdown". syd. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
30. ^ "Brad Battin to challange Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto". Sky News Australia. 26 December 2024. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
31. ^ Smethurst, Annika [@annikasmethurst] (26 December 2024). "If a spill motion is successful tomorrow, Jess Wilson will be a candidate for Lib leadership" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024 - via Twitter.
32. ^ Melzer, Max (26 December 2024). "'I will be a candidate': Jess Wilson makes bid for Victorian Liberal leadership after Brad Battin's John Pesutto challenge". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
33. ^ a b c d Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Smethurst, Annika; Eddie, Rachel (6 December 2022). "Victorian Liberal leadership contest hangs in the balance". The Age. Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
34. ^ Kolovos, Benita (8 December 2022). "Moderate John Pesutto elected leader of the Victorian Liberal party, defeating Brad Battin in ballot". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
35. ^ a b Kolovos, Benita (23 December 2024). "With John Pesutto's days as Victorian Liberal leader likely numbered, will it be third time lucky for Brad Battin?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
36. ^ Melzer, Max (9 October 2024). "Former Victorian MP Tim Smith claims Sam Groth, Brad Battin and Chris Crewther in three man race for state Liberal leadership if John Pesutto spill motion succeeds". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
37. ^ Kolovos, Benita (12 October 2024). "Victorian Liberals had been bracing for a leadership spill. Now voters have thrown John Pesutto a lifeline". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
38. ^ a b c Smethurst, Annika; Rooney, Kieran (1 September 2023). "Infighting among Victorian Liberals deepens as conservatives threaten revenge". The Age. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
39. ^ Le Grand, Chip (14 December 2024). "No bigger play behind Groth's massive serve". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 21 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
40. ^ a b c d Smethurst, Annika (6 October 2024). "Pesutto could face leadership challenge as early as next week, Liberals say". The Age. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
41. ^ a b c d Kolovos, Benita (8 October 2024). "The Victorian Liberal party's dirty laundry has been aired in public. Can John Pesutto survive a leadership spill?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
42. ^ a b c d Clarke, Mitch; Douglas, Carly; Cavanagh, Rebekah; Campbell, James (12 December 2024). "Most likely challengers to John Pesutto's Liberal leadership". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
43. ^ Kolovos, Benita (28 May 2022). "Lost in suburbia: Victorian Liberals search for a base". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
44. ^ Patrick, Aaron (6 September 2021). "Victorian Liberal leader O'Brien digs in against challenge". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
45. ^ Smethurst, Annika (11 October 2024). "Pesutto's would-be dethroners appear to have outwitted themselves". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
46. ^ Godde, Callum (15 October 2024). "'Hare-brained' Liberal leadership spill move fizzles". Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
47. ^ Browne, Ashley (4 November 2022). "Southwick eyes a difficult race for Caulfield". The Jewish Independent. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
48. ^ Tomazin, Farrah (5 June 2011). "Baillieu: the discriminating progressive". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
49. ^ Le Grand, Chip; Sakkal, Paul (11 November 2021). "David Davis encouraged to run for Tim Smith's seat of Kew, O'Brien set to be challenged". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
50. ^ Eddie, Rachel (14 June 2023). "Hate 'cancel culture'? Stop spending so much on prisons then, Liberal says". The Age. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
51. ^ Carmody, Broede; Eddie, Rachel; Rooney, Kieran (24 December 2024). "Pesutto is Libs' most popular recent leader. It's not likely that will save him". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
52. ^ Kolovos, Benita (30 May 2023). "'Hurtful to Indigenous Victorians': John Pesutto rebukes Bev McArthur over colonisation comments". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
53. ^ Lamacraft, Tim (9 February 2024). "MP accuses First Nations of 'extortion' over land claims". Bay 93.9. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
54. ^ Thomas, Shibu (9 June 2023). "Trans Councillor Claims Moira Deeming Is Not Transphobic". Star Observer. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Leadership spills and elections in Victoria

Liberal Party|

* 2021
* 2022
* 2024

National Party|

* 2024

See spills of: Australia • New South Wales
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template