Before a major leadership test for Liberal leader John Pesutto on Tuesday,a personal endorsement from one of his harshest critics was hard to come by.
The former Liberal premier has apologised for a sexist remark directed towards a woman at a Young Liberal function at the weekend.
The paradox bedevilling the Victorian Liberal party is on show as their leader is greeted warmly on the street by punters but at Spring Street risks becoming the next casualty in a long list of ousted leaders.
The former Liberal premier confirmed a letter he received appeared to argue he had made comments that discouraged witnesses in the defamation trial ousted MP Moira Deeming launched against John Pesutto.
When former MP Tim Smith gives advice about dumping has-been Victorian Liberal leaders,we are entering the realm of the burlesque.
While the state Liberal leader cannot be blamed for bringing on the case that has damaged so many MPs,his rivals remain bitter about his efforts to settle the matter.
After barely four years in government this century,something needs to change within the Victorian Liberal Party,starting with the way its leadership is decided.
Conservative MPs are urging former treasurer Kim Wells to put his hand up,as Pesutto says those who are unhappy with his leadership should “bring” the challenge.
Despite a record of failure,the former British prime minister is a hit with some of our local politicians.
Tensions in the Liberal party room remain high after two weeks of courtroom drama in Moira Deeming’s defamation trial against leader John Pesutto.
There were covert recordings,private emails,text messages and colour-coded spreadsheets,but we learned plenty more in court about the key figures in the defamation case that ousted Liberal Moira Deeming brought against Opposition Leader John Pesutto.