John Pesutto faces imminent removal as Victorian Liberal leader
- John Pesutto, the Victorian Liberal leader, faces a leadership spill on Friday due to internal divisions regarding Moira Deeming's status within the party.
- Brad Battin is emerging as the likely successor, as discontent regarding Pesutto's handling of the situation grows among party members.
- The leadership crisis highlights the significant rift within the Victorian Liberals and the urgent need to resolve internal conflicts ahead of upcoming byelections.
In Australia, the leadership of the Victorian Liberal Party is in turmoil as John Pesutto faces a potential spill of his position scheduled for Friday. This crisis comes after Pesutto made a controversial decision to allow Moira Deeming, a divisive figure in the party, to be readmitted after her prior expulsion related to her involvement in a rally that was associated with neo-Nazis. Only days earlier, Pesutto had used his casting vote to block her return, indicating the deep divisions within the party regarding her role. The internal dynamics have revealed that support for Pesutto is waning, even among his once-steadfast allies. With Brad Battin, Berwick MP and opposition police spokesman, emerging as the frontrunner to replace him, the party appears set to take a decisive stand. Battin, along with other Liberal MPs such as Sam Groth, Richard Riordan, James Newbury, and Bridget Vallence, have petitioned for a meeting to address Pesutto’s leadership and also to reconsider Deeming’s party membership. Many inside the party view Pesutto’s recent actions as desperate and too late, pointing out that had he permitted Deeming’s return during the first vote, the current crisis could have been averted. Internal dissent is growing, with some members calling Pesutto's backflip on Deeming a betrayal of those who supported his initial decision to keep her out. The impending spill is seen as a means to unify the party amid these unsettling times as they face upcoming byelections in Prahran and Werribee. As the deadline for the leadership spill approaches, sentiments among Liberal members are mixed, with some still supporting Pesutto while others see his concession as a fundamental weakness. Former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott also weighed in on the internal struggles by criticizing the party’s handling of Deeming’s situation. This upheaval illustrates the extent of division within the Victorian Liberal Party and poses significant implications for the party's future as they continue to navigate the fallout from both leadership and member controversies.