As it happened: Michael O’Brien faces Liberal leadership test - The Age

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Former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett has castigated his colleagues in the party who pushed for a spill this morning, describing the failed leadership motion as “foreplay”.

“I don’t know where this came from I heard nothing about it just politically naive, politically stupid, and it simply was brushed aside as it should have been,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne a short time ago.

Former Premier of Victoria Jeff Kennett.Credit:Darrian Traynor

Mr Kennett said the bid was ill-timed due to being too far out from the next state election.

“When I say foreplay, we have 18 to 19 months to go before the next state election.

“The environment will be very different than the one that is now, and there may be changes in the parliamentary party between now and then,” he said.

“To be trying to walk through one of these things is madness. I think even when I returned to the leadership it was only about 11 to 12 months before the election.

“So, from a political exercise hopefully a lot of people have learned a lesson. And it’s distracted our side of politics from opportunities that currently exist. I mean, all the pressures on the government with their over expenditure on infrastructure and delays etc - why would you want to bring attention to yourself right now?”

Mr Kennett was asked about the swirling rumours about his own possible run for President of the party.

“I have been pressed to do so but I haven’t made up my mind I have a fairly full book, as you can appreciate, so I’ll give that thought over the next few weeks,” he said.

“I think the important thing is the community is entitled towards effective opposition, it’s good for the government to be kept on its toes, good for the community to have the government kept on its toes by someone else apart from the media.”

Victoria’s acting Premier James Merlino has taken the chance to slam the Liberal party’s leadership spill as an act of self-interest that showed their disconnect from the community.

“They’re chaotic, they’re a rabble and they are irrelevant,” Mr Merlino said at a press conference this morning.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacitina Allan, Acting Premier James Merlino and Treasurer Tim Pallas and at the new level crossing overpass in Werribee on Tuesday morning.Credit:Scott McNaughton

Speaking before challenger Brad Battin was defeated 22 votes to 9, Mr Merlino said he had no preference as to whom the Labor government comes up against in next year’s election.

“We’ll compete against the team that’s on the other side, whoever it’s led by,” he said.

“But what they’re showing today is that they’re not interested in the lives, the aspirations, the needs of the Victorian community. They are only interested in themselves and resolving the chaos that is the state Liberal party.”

Mr Merlino, who will deputise for the injured Daniel Andrews for at least the next six weeks, continued his offensive by contrasting the spill to his government’s announcement on Tuesday of a new scheme that aims to help unemployed Victorians back into a job.

“It just shows how irrelevant they are. We’re focused on getting people back to work ... they’re focused on just one job, and protecting their own,” he said.

The acting Premier will come toe-to-toe with Mr O’Brien in question time later today. One suspects the failed spill may be on the lips of some government MPs.

Liberal leader Michael O’Brien has signalled he will demote challenger Brad Battin and his key supporters in response to the push against his leadership.

Speaking as he left the party meeting, which he won 22-9, Mr O’Brien said he had won an “overwhelming endorsement”.

Michael O’Brien speaks after the party meeting.Credit:Justin McManus

“The party has very strongly resolved to keep the leadership in place,” he said.

“We need to get our focus on Victorians ... On rebuilding this state and saving us from this Labor government that’s quickly sending us broke.”

“We’ve been releasing policies, whether it’s ending Belt and Road, whether it’s zero to landfill, whether it’s backing the native timber industry or building Eastwest LinkMr O’Brien acknowledged he “wasn’t perfect” and said he would “listen and consult” with his colleagues to ensure he is not challenged again.

Asked if he would sack the rebels from his frontbench, Mr O’Brien said: “We’ll be making some adjustments to the front bench later today, and I’ll make those changes when I’m ready to announce them.”

Challenger Brad Battin has refused to rule out a future challenge and argued his loss this morning was ‘not an embarrassment’.

Mr Battin said he would talk to leader Michael O’Brien later today about whether he remained on the front bench.

Brad Battin leaving the party room after the unsuccessful spill motion.Credit:Justin McManus

He said he had a “very good resume” and could run a “good, positive campaign” had he been elected leader.

“We must respect the decision ... to support Michael O’Brien,” he said.“I put my name forward ... because I know I can run a good, positive campaign.“

“The partyroom today has spoken... We have to respect the partyroom decision.”

Mr Battin said he would “continue to fight for all Victorians”.

“This is not an embarrassment for me... It needed to be put to a partyroom vote,” he said.

“This is a line in the sand to get our position right.”

A bit more context for the earlier confusion about what happened inside the partyroom:

Veteran Liberal MP Bruce Atkinson brought on the leadership spill which was at risk of not proceeding once it became clear Mr Battin didn’t have the numbers.

Any MP can bring on a leadership contest in the partyroom. Mr Atkinson first moved a motion to suspend standing orders before asking for a secret ballot.

All 31 MPs were then asked to vote on whether they wanted to declare the leadership open, that vote failed 22 votes to 9.