John Pesutto was on live TV during the ABC panel when he realized he had most likely lost his seat at the 2018 Victorian state election. His response was both surprising and telling — there was no anger, blame-shifting, or resentment, just dignified acceptance of his political fate. "You get a short time on the stage in politics," he remarked, before congratulating Labor's John Kennedy, who defeated him, describing him as "a very decent man." Such grace amid defeat caught the attention of many who speculated he might be the leader the Victorian Liberal Party needed after enduring consecutive electoral defeats at the hands of Premier Daniel Andrews. Yet, six years later, Pesutto has transformed from the figure of grace to one mired by personal troubles, leading to his recent ouster from leadership amid internal party turmoil.
The culmination of events leading to Pesutto's exit revolves around the controversy surrounding newly elected Liberal MP Moira Deeming. After attending an anti-trans rights rally, which faced disruptions by neo-Nazis, Pesutto faced backlash when he described Deeming's position as "untenable," later characterizing her as akin to a Nazi sympathizer. His comments led to significant divisions within the party, prompting Deeming to sue him for defamation. On one occasion, Pesutto said, "What I've been trying to emphasise during the evening is it's not about us; it's when you run to the problems like this." Unfortunately for Pesutto, the narrative shifted back to him as personal grievances spiraled out of control.
After weeks of simmering conflict, Deeming won her court case against Pesutto, who was ordered by the federal court to pay $315,000 for defamation due to his remarks about her association with neo-Nazis. This legal setback severely damaged Pesutto's credibility and ambitions within the party. Just days after his apology to Deeming, characterized as too late by many, his leadership was put to the test. Following a split decision on her readmittance to the party room, his fate was sealed
During the party’s leadership spill, promising rival Brad Battin seized the moment, taking over the role of opposition leader. Battin, who had been the shadow police minister under Pesutto, won the leadership ballot by focusing on unifying the fractured party. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the Liberals' internal strife, stating, "Victorians are hurting, and we need to make sure we have policies fixing the crime crisis and ensuring safety for our communities." Notably, this leadership change occurred just under two years before the next pivotal state election, wherein the Liberals hope to challenge for power.
While Battin's approach emphasizes unity and addressing important issues like cost-of-living crises and public safety, critics within the party fear the deep-seated divisions ignited by the Deeming scandal may continue to plague the new leadership. The discontent was evident when several party members publicly backed Deeming during her recent readmittance, which only served to exacerbate tensions. Observers noted the party might still be grappling with the fallout of Pesutto's leadership methods, along with the narrative of betrayal surrounding Deeming.
Deeming herself expressed surprise and gratitude following her reinstatement, remarking, "I think they were probably wondering how I’m going to react to them," referring to her Liberal colleagues. The situation evokes several questions about the future dynamics within the party as those loyal to Pesutto align against newly buoyed figures like Battin. The state of the Victorian Liberal Party reflects larger political undercurrents, juxtaposed against the broader challenges of appealing to voters disillusioned by existing leadership and party conflicts.
The fallout from these events lends insight not only to the structural challenges facing the party but also to Pesutto's tumultuous tenure as leader. Critics charge him with misjudging the party's sensitivity around Deeming's controversial views, showcasing the dangers of mismanaged internal politics. Michael O'Brien, previously the opposition leader, underscored the necessity for party unity amid discord, warning, "Unless we can win and hold government, we can't promote the freedom, prosperity, and security of Victorians or Australians."
Looking forward, Battin's appointment offers fresh potential for the Victorian Liberal Party as he seeks to realign the group’s messaging around pressing issues like crime, economic setbacks, and public policy reform. To achieve this, he will need to address internal divisions as he works on fostering unity among members who have faced accusations and polarized views.
For now, as Battin leads the Victorian Liberals, the parties face scrutiny not just from within but from voters who desire solutions rather than conflict. It remains to be seen whether Battin can create the environment necessary for effective governance, or if the scars of leadership betrayals will continue to define the Victorian Liberal Party's future.
