Battin unveils new frontbench, with Deeming allies rewarded
Former Gippsland chiropractor Renee Heath, who represents Eastern Victoria in the upper house, is the new shadow assistant minister for multicultural affairs and victims of family violence. Heath is a friend and ally of fellow upper house Liberal Moira Deeming, who was re-admitted to the party room the day that Battin became leader after winning her defamation battle against Pesutto.
As for the former leader being related to the backbench, Battin said that was ultimately Pesutto’s choice.
From left: MPs Joe McCracken, Nicole Werner, Sam Groth, Bridget Vallence, Richard Riordan were among those to be rewarded in Tuesday’s reshuffle.Credit: Eddie Jim
“I’ve had a couple of discussions with John Pesutto. Obviously, you’re all aware, John’s had some difficult challenges. At the moment, John has opted not to come into the shadow cabinet. However, he is a strong part of our team.”
Battin added that he was lucky to be able to lean on three former opposition leaders in his party room if necessary: Pesutto, public transport spokesman Matthew Guy, and shadow attorney-general Michael O’Brien.
Guy on Tuesday was also handed the new portfolio of “transition to government”. Asked about that choice, given Guy had taken the Liberals to an election loss twice, Battin said it was all about the Bulleen MP’s almost 20 years of parliamentary experience.
Others to receive a promotion in Tuesday’s reshuffle were Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence, the former industry spokeswoman, who received the finance portfolio. Vallence was another MP photographed walking into parliament last week alongside Battin the day he challenged for the leadership.
Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth and finance spokeswoman Bridget Vallence. Credit: Paul Jeffers
She was not the only Battin ally to be rewarded in the reshuffle. As reported on Monday evening, McArthur was given the local government portfolio, while Brighton MP James Newbury was awarded the coveted position of shadow treasurer.
Upper house MP Joe McCracken, another Battin ally, was promoted to shadow cabinet secretary.
But it was not all bad news for Pesutto’s former loyalists. Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell, who was shadow treasurer under the former opposition leader, remains on the frontbench as the Coalition’s spokesman for digital transformation and the environment.
Former deputy Liberal leader and Pesutto ally David Southwick lost his transport infrastructure portfolio but remains in shadow cabinet as the spokesman for police, corrections and youth justice.
Nationals leader Danny O’Brien said the new team was ready to fight for the needs of regional Victorians. Credit: Paul Jeffers
“Roswell going into the digital transformation [role] is a very important topic moving forward so we can get those efficiencies across government. It’s really important that we can save money. And for David Southwick … we’ve put him in a portfolio in relation to one of the biggest issues here in Victoria.”
As previously reported, former finance spokeswoman Jess Wilson – who threw her hat into the ring on the eve of December’s Liberal leadership contest – retained the education portfolio and gained industry and economic growth in lieu of finance. Former upper house leader Georgie Crozier remains health spokeswoman. Both were staunch Pesutto backers until the eve of the leadership contest.
Rowswell thanked his constituents on Monday afternoon for their support while he was shadow treasurer. In a message to local Liberal members, forwarded to The Age by a branch member, the outgoing shadow treasurer and Wilson backer suggested the Coalition would be united moving forward.
“It is clear that Victoria needs new leadership, and a change of government,” Rowswell wrote.
“I look forward to continuing to represent our local community, and to doing all I can to ensure a change of government at the next Victorian election, on 28 November 2026.”
Deeming was not appointed to the inner or outer shadow ministry on Tuesday, but Battin said she had a very important job of helping the party focus on the February byelection in Werribee.
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Battin, a 49-year-old former policeman and small business owner, won the party leadership last month on his third attempt in four years. His pitch for next year’s state election is to target outer-suburban voters, toughen bail laws, slash taxes and fix potholes.
Tuesday’s reshuffle also included a new management of public land portfolio, given to upper house Nationals MP Melina Bath. Nationals leader Danny O’Brien also took the portfolio of emergency services from Liberal Richard Riordan, who added planning to his housing portfolio.
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