The campaign to unseat Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, who is embroiled in a high-profile defamation lawsuit involving expelled member Moira Deeming, has been spearheaded by a seasoned Liberal MP.
One of Kim Wells’s colleagues has asked him to run for the position, and he is thinking about it, according to the Rowville MP. Wells has served in the legislature since 1992, and in 2010, he was treasurer for the government of former prime minister Ted Baillieu.
Last month, he assured reporters, “I will always support the leader” of the party, even if he has been supporting Deeming in her fight against Pesutto.
Questions regarding Premier Jacinta Allan’s strategy for dealing with Wells as her opponent were posed.
“The chaos and the distrust in the Liberal Party is absolutely a matter for the Liberal Party,” according to her.
On today’s showdown, Bailliau declared his “full support” for Pesutto, saying, “He has all the right qualities to be leader and has clearly demonstrated them.”
Jess Wilson, a rising star in the frontbench and shadow minister for education, offered Pessuto words of encouragement while emphasizing that she had not discussed the possibility of being deputy leader.
“I support John and believe he should remain leader and will remain leader,” stated the woman.
“Every one of my colleagues should be and is focused on doing the job, to making sure we are presenting an alternative government to the Victorian people.”
In the time leading up to the Liberal party room meeting, Wells will deliberate.
