Overview

• Brad Battin, a former police officer and MP for Berwick, has been elected as the new leader of the Victorian Liberal Party after defeating John Pesutto in a leadership vote.
• The leadership spill was triggered by ongoing divisions within the party, largely stemming from Pesutto's handling of the Moira Deeming defamation case and her subsequent expulsion and reinstatement.
• Battin's election follows a bruising contest involving Jess Wilson and Chris Crewther, with Wilson finishing third after an elimination-style vote.
• Sam Groth, a former tennis player and MP, has been named deputy leader, while Moira Deeming was readmitted to the party room in a 23-4 vote.
• Battin has pledged to focus on uniting the fractured party and addressing key issues such as cost of living, crime, and Victoria's budget challenges ahead of the 2026 state election.