Victoria’s defeated Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has stood down from the Liberal Party leadership in the wake of Saturday’s electoral rout.
Mr Guy’s resignation was widely expected by his colleagues after the Liberals saw a swing of about 6 per cent swing against them.
Much of the criticism of the electoral disaster was initially directed at party president Michael Kroger, but there was also criticism of Mr Guy’s office and his leadership, especially on policy.
In a statement, Mr Guy said:
“My congratulations again to Premier Andrews and his Labor team for their victory at Saturday’s election.
“I would like to place on record my deep appreciation for the hard work of all my Liberal members in the last parliament. They were the most unified team of any parliamentary party in Australia.
“I also want to thank and acknowledge the work of so many Liberal candidates, the state secretariat and my own personal staff. They have given up so much and worked so hard.
“Now that the parliamentary party has been called together, they will elect a new leadership team. I will not be a candidate for the position of leader.”
Victorian state Liberal MPs will hold a meeting next week to vote on a new leader.
Liberal frontbenchers Michael O’Brien and John Pesutto have been touted as potential candidates, but Mr Pesutto must first wait to see if he successfully holds his seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne’s east.
Mr Pesutto was one of several Liberal MPs who found themselves at risk of losing traditionally blue-ribbon seats in Melbourne’s east in Labor’s “bloodbath” victory.
The election result is expected to deliver Labor 52 seats in the 88-seat Lower House, with contests in six Liberal-held electorates still too close to call.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he wished his political opponent the best for the future.
“I’d say to him that I’ve been an Opposition Leader and I know that’s not an easy job,” Mr Andrews said.
“It’s tough on families, it isn’t easy and I genuinely wish him all the very best.
“To Renae and his boys, whatever the future holds for him, I only wish good things for him.”
