It seems impossible for Liberal Leader John Pesutto to remain in power, and yet that is what he has pledged to do. ‘I have always been a fighter. That’s why I’ll continue in this role.’
His survival in the leadership is just as offensive as Daniel Andrews’ proposed bronze statue immortalising all the wrong things about Victorian politics.
Last week, it was ruled that Mr Pesutto made defamatory comments regarding Moira Deeming, with Ms Deeming being awarded $300,000 in damages.
Associating the Let Women Speak rally and Ms Deeming with the Nazi gatecrashers was always an indefensible position. It was also absurd.
To this day, conservative commentators struggle to make sense of Mr Pesutto’s remarks, his non-apology, and his determination to ride the narrative all the way to court.
Mr Pesutto’s special variety of poor judgment infected others, culminating in Ms Deeming being kicked out of the party room by a shocking number of her peers – individuals who deserve far more scrutiny and criticism than they have currently received. Did they side with their leader out of loyalty, or do they share his views? It is either cowardice or crackery.
The Left have often taunted the Liberal Party, suggesting they might have a women problem. The Victorian Liberals have done their best to make this allegation true, showing that their desire to polish their Woke Virtue has outstripped their intellectual integrity when it comes to women and their biological rights.
Given what we have seen it is fair to ask, is the party mad?
Probably, especially considering it has been alleged that those who were ‘disloyal’ may face problems in the next pre-selection.
It has been suggested that Ms Deeming may rejoin the party room and many hope that she will do so wielding considerably more power. ‘I don’t understand, even politically, why all these things happen the way they did. I still believe in this party. If you look at the Liberal Party platform, they are good values,’ said Ms Deeming.
Without wishing to disparage Ms Deeming personally, the Liberal Party might have a solid policy platform in spirit, but in practice they have been woeful.
If Mr Pesutto continues as Leader, it will serve as proof that the Victorian Liberals are governed by something other than integrity. Pesutto has destroyed his credibility, particularly with conservative women. Ditching half the vote is incompatible with victory.
Comments from Former Victorian Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett urging Mr Pesutto to stay on are all the more bizarre.
‘I think a lot of people on our side were shocked and we’re glad it’s over. I think it will be a test for the whole party.’
When I posted this quote online, Liberal voters across the country were in disbelief that he could say something so badly out of touch with public opinion.
Then we had Matthew Guy, who somehow survived his own embarrassing political past, weighing in, ‘John has strong internal support. He will remain the leader, he’s doing a good job, we’re well ahead in the polls. It’s time for everyone to shut up, and do their job and stop commenting on this.’
A good job at what, exactly?
It is extraordinary how many political minds south of the border think this will go away. I suspect these are well-connected industry people considering their businesses rather than the average punter shaking their head at the treatment of a good conservative woman fighting one of the most important culture wars of the modern age.
At least one party member referenced the rising polls as a good reason to keep Mr Pesutto in power, describing a leadership spill as ‘missing the boat’, but polls tend to be smoke and mirrors and there is no telling how much damage lingers on the Liberal brand.
If supporters wish to perceive Mr Pesutto as a fighter, fine, but what is he fighting for? What is the platform which the Liberal Party hopes to be elected on? Tell me something they stand for that isn’t as obvious as don’t waste money on Union projects.
It was left to Beverley McArthur, who frequents the pages of this magazine, to say something sensible: ‘If [Pesutto is] so confident about his position, then he can easily call a meeting of the parliamentary party and put his case forward and declare off positions vacant.’
Although, given the previous voting history of the party, he would probably win. That is what happens when the rot takes over. The lack of talent in the party is such that Ms Pesutto might remain safe. That is a damning judgment on the party managers who have failed to cultivate new voices, almost as if their management plan is to keep the party packed with obedient, non-entities to ensure the direction of an eventual government is easily managed by faceless men and gloved hands.
Are we really meant to believe that in the whole of Victoria, this is the best the Liberal Party can do? If it is, then everyone involved needs to sit down and plot out some sort of talent-scouting program because … damn.
‘We are talking about ourselves…’ said one Liberal, on why the Pesutto conversation should be dropped.
On the contrary, the Liberals need to start talking about themselves. Not only in Victoria, but right across the nation.
The Liberals need to sit down and decide if their manifesto still fits the policies of the party.
They cannot, as a brand, continue to champion freedom while drafting the worst digital censorship policies in the world. It is untenable. They cannot half-walk the nuclear path while keeping Net Zero alive when we know it is both a drain on public resources and a Trojan horse for the communists who openly brag about their war against coal being a means to destroy capitalism. They cannot appeal to concerns about housing and the cost of living crisis, while failing to clamp down on mass migration.
No-man’s land, even in an election victory, is a disaster for the future of Australia.
The least-worst option will still cripple the country, just more slowly.
People are starting to ask if their vote controls the direction of politics, or if parties are under the thumb of powerful factions who care little for the will of the people.
I was asked over the weekend what I thought of the modern Liberal Party.
To me, they are Jurassic World Dominion. A sequel, of a sequel, of a reboot, following a trilogy of diminishing quality. Jurassic Park, just like the Menzies’ Liberal Party of 1944, was a revelation. The films are sustained today by the nostalgia of long-dead dinosaurs while the Liberal Party, 80 years later, is drip-fed by cameos from former Prime Ministers. These are not the same movies, and this is not the same party.
What is the answer? Throwing a few billion at the Hollywood studio to make a fourth instalment with the same bad actors and emotionless CGI? Or do we rebuild with a different story, a new team of writers, and brand new actors as yet unknown?
Nigel Farage is the political version of a studio giving fresh ideas a go.
