Battin seeks ‘enthusiasm’ in reshuffle, but not everyone’s on board

Opposition Leader Brad Battin has rejected suggestions his high-risk reshuffle would inflame tensions in the Liberal party room, repeatedly declaring the “enthusiasm” of the overhauled shadow cabinet would deliver a “fresh start” for Victorians.

Battin on Saturday unveiled his new frontbenchers Richard Welch, Nicole Werner and Nick McGowan – three MPs in their first term of parliament – at the expense of Roma Britnell and filling the vacancies created by the pending retirements of Michael O’Brien and David Hodgett.

Brad Battin (second from right) announcing his new frontbench with (from left) Richard Welch, Nicole Werner and Nick McGowan.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

McGowan also confirmed an open secret that he would seek to move to the lower house at the November 2026 election, having nominated for preselection in Ringwood. That seat is currently held by ex-Labor MP-turned-crossbencher Will Fowles.

As The Age revealed on Friday, Battin dumped James Newbury from his prized treasury portfolio to make way for his chief leadership rival Jess Wilson.

Newbury will instead hold the prominent role of shadow attorney-general and returns as manager of opposition business, which had been held by Bridget Vallence. He also becomes opposition spokesman for anti-corruption and retains the equality portfolio.

Newbury was rewarded with his choice of portfolio, shadow treasurer, when he played the role of kingmaker to support Battin over Wilson in the December leadership spill. Insiders unable to speak publicly said Battin at the time gave Newbury his word he would retain the portfolio.

Battin said the issues that Newbury, who has a law degree, had raised with him as leader had “all been about crime”.

“Obviously, we’ve already seen James has spoken quite passionately on crime in the past. He’s actually the logical fit when Michael O’Brien decided to retire,” Battin said, adding that Newbury had committed his dedication to the new role.

The reshuffle immediately inflamed tensions, and set off feverish phone calls, within an already despondent Liberal party room.

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Liberal MPs, speaking anonymously to be frank about internal issues, described the changes as a “bunker-type reshuffle” that had its own set of risks to Battin’s leadership and interpersonal relationships within shadow cabinet.

Some MPs said they were yet to hear from Battin, who told reporters he had spoken to those affected “and I’ve got more phone calls to make”.

Battin said he would take this frontbench into the November 2026 election and insisted he would remain leader. He used the term “fresh start” 11 times in Saturday’s press conference.

“We’re trying to bring in a skill set and some enthusiasm that can hold the government to account and ensure that we have the policies that Victorians can trust,” Battin said. “We need less taxes, less waste and lower crime. It is so important that we get on top of these things for Victoria to get that fresh start.”

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Insiders said he had told colleagues on Friday he was promoting Joe McCracken to the frontbench, but instead held him as cabinet secretary. Battin did not dispute that characterisation on Saturday, repeating that all his conversations with colleagues were confidential.

New frontbencher Welch becomes spokesman for jobs, industry, and industrial relations, and manufacturing and innovation.

Welch said he was grateful to Battin for bringing in “new blood” and that Victoria clearly needed new ideas.

“This is a state that is, in a sense, directionless on industry policy, directionless on manufacturing,” he said.

“We have a treasurer whose highest economic objective in this state is to simply stabilise debt. It’s not providing any direction to business.”

Werner was promoted to shadow minister for youth justice, youth and future leaders, and children, which includes child protection.

She said she heard from constituents about crime every day, and was humbled and honoured to take up the responsibilities to give young Victorians excitement and hope for the future.

McGowan will hold the community services and victim support portfolios.

Ringwood was won by Labor with a 7.5 per cent margin after the distribution of preferences at the 2022 election, which McGowan described as “Everest without oxygen”. The Liberal Party has previously held the seat but was stripped of it by voters at the 2018 “Danslide”.

“I’ve never been one to shy away from risk, so no, I embrace risk. I’m not afraid of losing, but I’m absolutely fighting to win,” McGowan said.

Werner after she retained the seat of Warrandyte for the Liberals in a 2023 byelection.Credit: Luis Ascui

“We’ve got to have the right mindset. There’s a lot of serious issues in Victoria. Unless we’re all prepared to come together as a team to do the hard yards and actually take on Labor in their heartland and in seats that we think we should hold – we should be holding a whole range of seats in the eastern suburbs, which frankly we would represent better than are being represented today.”

Britnell, who supported Battin in the December leadership change, was demoted to the backbench.

“It is not what I would have chosen, and I am very disappointed, but Brad as the leader of the party has the right to choose who he wants in the shadow cabinet,” Britnell told The Age on Friday afternoon.

Britnell’s ports and freight portfolio went to deputy leader Sam Groth, who added public transport and aviation but lost major events and tourism.

Former leader Matthew Guy becomes opposition spokesman for major projects and transition to government, while deputy upper house leader Evan Mulholland moves to education.

Former leader John Pesutto was left in exile on the backbench.

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