Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin says party infighting is over as focus shifts to 2026 election
Victorian opposition leader Brad Battin has conceded some Liberal Party MPs have focused more on internal rivalries than voters, but has said his team will be unified heading into the election in 2026.
Mr Battin described the party's decision to provide former leader John Pesutto a $1.55 million loan to avoid bankruptcy, a policy he supported, as a "line in the sand" that signalled a renewed focus on winning government.
The long-running fight between Mr Pesutto and fellow Liberal MP Moira Deeming, who successfully sued her former leader for defamation, has divided the party.
It became a proxy battle in a broader ideological struggle for control of the party.
In an interview with the ABC, Mr Battin said he was speaking to every MP individually following the decision to provide Mr Pesutto a financial lifeline, stressing the need for unity.
"You've been elected as a local member of parliament. You've got the self-discipline to get there. You just need now to put that into team unity."
Asked whether MPs who failed to be team players would face consequences, Mr Battin said voters would ultimately decide.
"The consequences are, you lose the election. It's a pretty simple consequence."
The Coalition has not won a Victorian election since 2010 and has been crippled by infighting. A common criticism is that too many MPs are focused more on getting to parliament rather than winning government.
"I think there's always an element of that, because it's been publicly perceived as that,'' Mr Battin said.
The Berwick MP said it was incumbent on MPs to reflect on why they were elected.
"What things did you want to see change in the state? And can you do it from opposition? If the answer is yes … then you're probably in the wrong job."
Mr Battin challenged Mr Pesutto's leadership six months ago after his supporters undermined Mr Pesutto's position, but Mr Battin reiterated throughout the interview that his team was now united.
He hinted that the frontbench team could change but would not say if Mr Pesutto or Ms Deeming would be included in a revamped shadow cabinet.
Ms Deeming had proposed an alternative to the party loaning Mr Pesutto money, including delaying his court order debt if her preselection was guaranteed.
Mr Battin declined to comment on that or complaints to the state's anti-corruption watchdog, citing legal advice not to speak publicly on the matter.
While expressing confidence in the team he would take to the election, Mr Battin said some MPs would need to reflect on their future.
"People have to make decisions about time served in parliament, if they want to stay or not,'' he said.
The Coalition must add 16 seats at next year's November election to win office.
The task is big, but after three terms of Labor, there is a genuine chance for the Liberals, Mr Battin believed.
"We've got one chance coming up in about 16 months. It's our opportunity to ensure we prove to Victorians we're ready."
He said the party would now focus on policy, with internal disputes hopefully behind him.
Mr Battin admitted the long-running conflict between Mr Pesutto and Ms Deeming took a toll on him, including sleepless nights.
"It takes a physical and mental challenge on you … but it's resolved my drive. I know what I need to do to win at the next election."
He doesn't regret how he handled the matter, stressing that it was a dispute between two individuals.
Some MPs criticised Mr Battin for a lack of leadership in failing to resolve the crisis sooner, while others were angered by his decision to support the loan to Mr Pesutto, highlighting the party's ongoing divisions.
"I know what I need to do to win at the next election. I need to get the right policy settings, have the right processes with my team, ensure we're a united front, and send a message to Victoria that we're ready to govern."
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