The Victorian Liberal Party is on the brink of a leadership upheaval as key figures within the party have informed Opposition Leader Brad Battin that he no longer retains their confidence.
Senior Liberal MPs, representing various factions within the party, confronted Battin this afternoon, requesting that he vacate his position ahead of tomorrow morning’s party room meeting at Parliament House.
In addition, several other MPs have reached out to Battin, voicing their dissatisfaction with his leadership performance.
Should a leadership spill motion be successful, Shadow Treasurer Jess Wilson is anticipated to challenge Battin for the leadership role during the meeting.
Wilson, aged 35, was elected as the representative for Kew in the 2022 election and is among the youngest members in the party room.
Sources from 9News indicate that Wilson was not the instigator of the leadership challenge. Instead, she was approached by colleagues to consider stepping up for the position.
Plateauing opinion polls, frustration at a recent cabinet reshuffle and pressure ahead of next year’s election are believed to be behind the motion to turf Battin.
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett believes Battin deserves more time at the top.
“I can’t believe it, but there is a degree of self-destruct within the Victorian parliamentary party as we’ve seen over the last few years,” Kennett told 3AW.
Deputy leader Sam Groth and shadow planning minister Richard Riordan were tonight at Battin’s side inside his CBD office.
When asked whether Battin would remain leader, Groth remarked “only time will tell”. 
The party suffered a wipeout defeat at the 2022 election. 
Battin succeeded at a leadership spill against former party leader John Pesutto in December last year.
Pesutto narrowly beat out Battin to snatch the leadership from Matthew Guy following the party’s loss at the last election.
