Brad Battin

Brad Battin
MP
Battin in 2023
Leader of the Opposition in Victoria
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 December 2024
PremierJacinta Allan
DeputySam Groth
Preceded byJohn Pesutto
Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 December 2024
DeputySam Groth
Preceded byJohn Pesutto
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Berwick
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 November 2022
Preceded byNew seat
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Gembrook
In office
27 November 2010 – 26 November 2022
Preceded byTammy Lobato
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Personal details
Born
Bradley William Battin

(1975-12-12) 12 December 1975 (age 49)
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal
OccupationPolice officer

Bradley William Battin (born 12 December 1975[1]) is an Australian politician who has served as the leader of the Victorian Liberal Party since 27 December 2024, and as member for Berwick in the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2022. He was previously the member for Gembrook from 2010 until the seat was abolished in 2022 following the 2021 redistribution. He was formerly a police officer and owned a bakery in Wheelers Hill.[1]

Early life and career

Battin obtained a Diploma in Public Safety (Policing) with the Victoria Police, and a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Welfare from the University of Melbourne.[2] In 2020 Battin completed a Graduate Certificate in Business, he went on to complete his Master in Business Administration at Victoria University. [citation needed]

Political career

Battin was first elected as the member for Gembrook at the November 2010 state election and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018. Following a redistribution causing the seat of Gembrook to be abolished, Battin was elected to the new seat of Berwick at the 2022.

In 2014, following the defeat of the Napthine government, Battin was promoted to the new Shadow Cabinet under Matthew Guy as the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and Environment.[3] In 2017, he was appointed the first Victorian Shadow Minister for the Building Industry while still retaining the Emergency Services portfolio.[4]

In 2020, Battin moved to Shadow Minister for Youth Justice, Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention, Shadow Minister for Victim Support, Shadow Minister for Roads (Metro), Shadow Minister for Road Safety and the TAC.[5]

In March 2021, Battin attempted to oust Michael O'Brien as leader of the state Liberal Party, but was defeated in a 22–9 vote, following which he resigned from his shadow ministry positions.[6]

After the Liberal Party lost the 2022 state election, Battin ran in the subsequent Liberal Party state leadership election after previous leader Matthew Guy resigned. He was endorsed by two of his former election challengers Ryan Smith and Richard Riordan, but lost the vote 17–16 to John Pesutto, the member for Hawthorn.[7]

Opposition leader (2024–present)

In December 2024, following internal party fractures over the banning of Moira Deeming from the Liberal party room, and the loss of a defamation case by then-leader John Pesutto, Battin won a leadership spill succeeding Pesutto as the leader of the Victorian Liberal Party.[8]

Political positions

Battin is considered to be factionally conservative within the Liberal Party.[9]

In 2021, Battin supported increasing the age of criminal responsibility.[10]

Battin opposes pill testing.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Brad Battin". Members of Parliament. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  2. ^ About Brad Battin
  3. ^ "Victorian Coalition announces shadow cabinet of 24, with 10 new faces, led by Matthew Guy". ABC News. 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  4. ^ Burrows, Bonny (26 September 2017). "Minister MP given extra portfolio". Pakenham Gazette. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  5. ^ Clarke, Mitchell (10 March 2020). "New role for Battin". Pakenham Gazette. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  6. ^ Smethurst, Annika; Sakkal, Paul (16 March 2021). "Liberal challenger quits frontbench after failing to topple O'Brien". The Age. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  7. ^ McCubbing, Gus (8 December 2022). "John Pesutto wins Liberal leadership in Victoria by one vote". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  8. ^ Jaeger, Carla; Carmody, Broede; Le Grand, Chip (27 December 2024). "Brad Battin wins vote to become Liberal leader". The Age. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  9. ^ Jaeger, Carla; Carmody, Broede; Le Grand, Chip (27 December 2024). "Brad Battin wins vote to become Liberal leader". The Age. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  10. ^ Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Fowler, Michael (27 May 2021). "Liberal MPs break ranks in push to raise age of criminality to 14". Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Mr Battin advocated for the age of criminality to be raised, on the proviso governments strengthened services to support at-risk youth.
  11. ^ "'It's ok to say no': Vic Shadow Police Minister slams pill testing debate". Sky News Australia. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Gembrook
2010–2022 		Succeeded by
Seat abolished
Preceded by
New seat
 Member for Berwick
2022–present 		Incumbent


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