John Pesutto Explained

John Pesutto
Honorific-Suffix:MP
Constituency Am2:Hawthorn
Assembly2:Victorian Legislative
Term Start2:26 November 2022
Predecessor2:John Kennedy
Term Start3:29 November 2014
Term End3:24 November 2018
Predecessor3:Ted Baillieu
Successor3:John Kennedy
Office:Leader of the Opposition in Victoria
Premier:Daniel Andrews
Jacinta Allan
Term Start:8 December 2022
Deputy:Peter Walsh
Predecessor:Matthew Guy
Deputy1:David Southwick
Term Start1:8 December 2022
Predecessor1:Matthew Guy
Birth Date:1970 9, df=y
Birth Place:Traralgon, Victoria, Australia
Party:Victorian Liberal
Spouse:Betty Pesutto
Children:3
Alma Mater:University of Melbourne
Occupation:Politician
Signature:John Pesutto Signature.png
Profession:Lawyer
Website:http://www.johnpesutto.com.au/

John Pesutto (pronounced as /it/; born 5 September 1970) is an Australian politician and lawyer serving as the Leader of the Opposition in Victoria, holding office as the leader of the Victorian Branch of the Liberal Party of Australia. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the inner-city division of Hawthorn since 2022, and previously from 2014 to 2018.[1]

Early life and career

Pesutto studied at Catholic Regional College Traralgon from 1983 to 1988, and studied a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne from 1989 to 1993. He worked as a lawyer for Littleton Hackford from 1994 to 1996, as an Electorate Officer for Russell Broadbent from 1996 to 1997, as a lawyer for Henty Jepson & Kelly from 1997 to 2006, as a lawyer for Phillips Fox from 2006 to 2009, as a self-employed consultant from 2009 to 2011 and Director of the Productivity and Employment Unit with the Institute of Public Affairs in 2010,[2] and in the Office of the Premier from 2011 to 2014 as Counsel to Denis Napthine, Chief of Staff to the Health Minister and as a senior advisor to Ted Baillieu.[3] During his career in private legal practice, Pesutto practised with a focus on industrial relations and employment matters, while his consultancy had a focus on advising government departments and public sector agencies on governance and performance issues.[4]

After losing his seat in the 2018 Victorian state election, Pesutto took up an honorary post in the school of government at the University of Melbourne, established his own consultancy firm called Hugo Benice Advisory offering legal work and media, government and competition advice, and maintained a presence in the media through writing columns for The Age and appearing on ABC Radio and Joy FM.[5]

Political career

Pesutto ran for Liberal preselection for Kooyong at the 2010 federal election but lost to Josh Frydenberg. Pesutto also ran for preselection in Deakinat the 2013 federal election but lost to Michael Sukkar.[6]

Pesutto was pre-selected as Liberal Party candidate for Hawthorn after defeating John Roskam of the Institute of Public Affairs for the position. He was successful at the 2014 state election. He was Shadow Attorney-General in Matthew Guy's first shadow ministry.[7] He was defeated at the 2018 state election. He was a panelist on ABC on election night when he was told on live television that he had lost his seat to Labor's John Kennedy.[8]

On 14 December 2021, John Pesutto was again endorsed as the Liberal candidate for Hawthorn at the 2022 Victorian state election.[9] Pesutto won re-election in the state election on 26 November 2022 against Labor incumbent John Kennedy and teal independent challenger Melissa Lowe on a 1.7% margin.[10]

Opposition leader (2022–present)

After Liberal leader Matthew Guy announced his resignation,[11] Pesutto announced his candidacy for Liberal leader.[12] Pesutto was elected leader of the Liberal Party on 8 December 2022, winning the party room ballot by one vote against Brad Battin.[13]

Moira Deeming controversy

Under Pesutto's leadership, in March 2023 his party considered expelling Liberal MP Moira Deeming from the party, but opted to suspend her from the party room for nine months.[14] [15] [16] [17] Deeming later initiated legal action against Pesutto after he declined her demand to issue a media statement saying that he does not consider her a Nazi or Nazi sympathiser.[18] This saga was part of a crisis within the Victorian Liberal Party in May 2023, when Pesutto's leadership was undermined by members of the hard-right faction of the Liberal Party, who two Liberal MPs labelled ‘terrorists’.[19] Liberal Party elder Tony Barry described the situation as “The Victorian Liberal Party is like the space shuttle Columbia slamming into the Hindenburg and then landing on the deck of the Titanic".[20] Federal Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton on 5 May 2023, refused to rule out an intervention into the Victorian Liberal Party.[21] Deeming was eventually expelled on May 11, 2023, by a vote of 19–11. The vote was widely considered a test of Pesutto's leadership of the parliamentary Liberal party.[22] At the 20th of May 2023 Liberal state council meeting in Bendigo, Pesutto was booed by attendees for his handling of situation.[23] [24] [25] [26] The controversy resulted in the Victorian Liberals recording their lowest ever primary vote of 23% in published opinion polls.[27] The Federal Liberal Women's Committee condemned Pesutto for suspending Deeming, and demanded Pesutto apologise and immediately reinstate Deeming to the partyroom.[28]

Pesutto's actions in relation to the Moira Deeming affair had led to three defamation lawsuits being filed against him by Deeming, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull and Angela Jones,[29] [30] [31] with the three cases set be heard together in a 15 day trial to commence on 16 September 2024.[32] [33] [34] On 16 May 2024, Pesutto settled the two cases involving Kellie-Jay Keen and Angie Jones, with the Deeming case remaining in place; Pesutto issued a public apology to the two, and as part of the settlement, he did not have to pay compensation as part of the settlement, but would share a portion of the legal costs.[35] [36]

Political views

Pesutto is considered to be factionally moderate within the Liberal Party.[37] [38] [39] However, Pesutto has been criticised for failing to demonstrate or affirm his moderate credentials during his time in the Victorian parliament, and for consistently opposing progressive social policies.[40]

In early 2023, leading up to the unsuccessful 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, Pesutto remained undecided, citing a lack of detail on the proposal and allowed party room members to have a conscience vote.[41] [42] In January 2024, Pesutto announced that the Coalition would withdraw its support for a state-based treaty with Indigenous communities.[43]

In January 2024, following an increase in overdoses at music festivals, Pesutto argued against pill testing measures, asserting "the health and safety of young Victorians needs to come first, and there are ways to promote that health and safety without the risks that surround pill testing".[44] Pesutto is opposed to legislation seeking to increase the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old, citing concerns over potential escalation in youth crime rates.[45]

Pesutto has pledged to pause and review the Suburban Rail Loop if the Coalition wins government in 2026, citing concerns about rising state debt, cost uncertainty, and the lack of funding available for other transport projects including the Western Rail Plan and Melbourne Airport Rail.[46]

Personal life

A resident of Hawthorn for over 25 years, Pesutto is married to Betty, and has three daughters.[47]

He has described himself of being "from the Greek parts of Italy".[48]

See also

External links

 

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hawthorn (Key Seat) - VIC Election 2022 . 1 December 2022 . ABC News . 1 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221201033837/https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/vic/2022/guide/hawt . live .
  2. Financial Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2010 . Moran Chartered Accountants . 2010-10-28 . 2022-10-19 . 18 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018212816/https://ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/archive/1292283744_document_ipa_-_2010_financial_report.pdf . live .
  3. Mr John Pesutto. 3. 29 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Mr John Pesutto . 11 June 2022 . The University of Melbourne . 7 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220707163242/https://government.unimelb.edu.au/staff/john-pesutto . live .
  5. Web site: Brook . Stephen . 'Falling off a cliff': Life after the people vote you out . 11 June 2022 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 4 June 2022 . Fairfax Media . 11 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220611131902/https://www.smh.com.au/national/falling-off-a-cliff-life-after-the-people-vote-you-out-20220526-p5aotd.html . live .
  6. Web site: Former peacekeeper in preselection battle . 4 May 2012 .
  7. News: 'Why don't we get James on the line': John Pesutto hits back at rorting accusations . 30 July 2018 . . 24 September 2018 . 22 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180922135959/https://www.3aw.com.au/labor-drags-coalition-into-red-shirt-rort-calls-in-the-police/ . live .
  8. News: Victorian election TV panellist told he has lost his seat on live TV during Labor's landslide win. ABC News. 24 November 2018. 8 December 2022. 8 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208110720/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-24/victoria-election-john-pesutto-told-he-lost-his-seat-live-on-tv/10552112. live.
  9. News: Clarke. Mitch. 2021-12-14. Pesutto on comeback trail from on-air humiliation. Herald Sun. 2022-01-20 . subscription.
  10. News: 2022-11-29 . John Pesutto clinches Hawthorn victory, paving way for Victorian Liberal leadership bid . en-AU . ABC News . 2022-12-01 . 1 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221201092625/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-30/victorian-election-results-face-waits-in-some-contests/101712658 . live .
  11. Web site: 2022-11-27 . Matthew Guy resigns as Victorian Liberal leader after election loss . 2022-12-01 . 7NEWS . en . 1 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221201092626/https://7news.com.au/news/vic/matthew-guy-to-step-down-as-victorian-liberal-leader-c-8980772 . live .
  12. News: . John Pesutto to announce Victorian Liberal Party leadership bid . 2022-11-30 . Sky News Australia . en . 2023-01-24 . 30 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130223445/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/john-pesutto-to-announce-victorian-liberal-party-leadership-bid/video/8296eadb777bb82f1bd8fe0cc62300f9 . live .
  13. News: 2022-12-08 . John Pesutto wins Liberal leadership in Victoria by one vote . subscription . 2022-12-09 . Australian Financial Review . en-AU . 2022-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209011959/https://www.afr.com/politics/john-pesutto-wins-liberal-leadership-in-victoria-by-one-vote-20221208-p5c4ot . live .
  14. News: Kolovos . Benita . Victorian opposition leader moves to expel MP involved in anti-trans protest attended by neo-Nazis . 24 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824120951/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/20/victorian-opposition-leader-moves-to-expel-mp-involved-in-anti-trans-protest-attended-by-neo-nazis. 20 March 2023 . The Guardian . 20 March 2023 . live.
  15. News: Sumeyya . Ilanbey . Rachel . Eddie . Paul . Sakkal . 21 March 2023 . Bid to delay expulsion of Deeming fails as details of Pesutto's motion revealed . 21 March 2023 . The Age . en-AU . 2023-08-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824121400/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/bid-to-delay-expulsion-of-deeming-fails-as-details-of-pesutto-s-motion-revealed-20230321-p5ctvl.html . registration . live.
  16. News: Kolovos . Benita . 20 March 2023 . Moira Deeming vows to fight expulsion push over involvement in protest attended by neo-Nazis . en-AU . The Guardian . 2023-08-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824120951/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/20/victorian-opposition-leader-moves-to-expel-mp-involved-in-anti-trans-protest-attended-by-neo-nazis . 2023-03-21 . live . 0261-3077.
  17. News: 19 March 2023 . 24 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824120148/https://7news.com.au/news/vic/liberal-mp-moira-deeming-set-to-be-expelled-over-role-in-violent-melbourne-anti-trans-rally--c-10091551 . Liberal MP set to be expelled over role in violent Melbourne anti-trans rally . 2023-03-21 . 7NEWS . en . live.
  18. News: Moira Deeming to sue John Pesutto for defamation Victorian Liberal Party in crisis. The Age. 29 May 2023. registration. 3 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230603104044/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/terrorists-victorian-liberals-slam-mps-leaking-against-john-pesutto-20230504-p5d5iu.html. live.
  19. News: Victorian Liberals plunge into chaos as John Pesutto faces second coming of Moira Deeming | Victorian politics | The Guardian. Kolovos . Benita . 4 May 2023 . The Guardian. 2023-05-29 . 25 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230825043546/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/04/victorian-liberals-plunge-into-chaos-as-john-pesutto-faces-second-coming-of-moira-deeming . live.
  20. News: Deery . Shannon . Perillo . Sarah . 'Growing concern' within Libs over Deeming scandal . subscription . Herald Sun . 4 May 2023 . 2023-05-29 . 29 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529135318/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/moria-deeming-set-to-challenge-party-room-suspension/news-story/4e8e1961c0aca9c2fbd5af325bca2265 . live .
  21. News: Moira Deeming faces new challenge as Victorian Liberals push for vote to expel her from party. The Guardian. 29 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230825044256/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/05/peter-dutton-tells-victorian-liberals-i-want-this-mess-sorted-out-after-moira-deeming-threatens-to-sue . 2023-08-25 . 5 May 2023 . Kolovos . Benita . Remeikis . Amy . live.
  22. News: Moira Deeming expelled from Victorian Liberal party room after threat to sue leader John Pesutto . 12 May 2023 . 25 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230825044815/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/12/moira-deeming-expelled-from-victorian-liberal-party-room-after-threat-to-sue-leader-john-pesutto . Kolovos . Benita . The Guardian. 29 May 2023 . live.
  23. News: Victorian Liberal Party members 'disgusted' by treatment of Moira Deeming interrupt leader's state council speech . ABC News . 20 May 2023 . Leanne . Wong . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824123156/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-20/victorian-liberal-leader-john-pesutto-moira-deeming-supporters/102372424 . 24 August 2023 . live.
  24. News: Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto booed and heckled by Moira Deeming supporters . SBS News . 2023-08-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824123402/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/victorian-liberal-leader-john-pesutto-booed-and-heckled-by-moira-deeming-supporters/er5lky4ro . 2023-05-20 . live.
  25. News: 'Shame, shame': Liberal members unrest adds to Pesutto leadership woes . Smethurst . Annika . 2023-05-19 . registration . 1 June 2023 . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601130257/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/shame-shame-opposition-leader-john-pesutto-booed-at-state-council-meeting-20230520-p5d9vn.html . live .
  26. News: Moira Deeming supporters boo and walk out on Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto at state council . 2023-08-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230824123551/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/20/moira-deeming-supporters-boo-and-walk-out-on-victorian-liberal-leader-john-pesutto. The Guardian . 2023-05-20 . live.
  27. News: Smethurst . Annika . 2023-06-14 . 'Can't get much lower': Pesutto's Coalition sinks to new low in polls . 2023-06-16 . The Age . en-AU . subscription . 14 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230614171021/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/can-t-get-much-lower-pesutto-s-coalition-sinks-to-new-low-in-polls-20230614-p5dgeq.html . live .
  28. News: Smethurst . Annika . Rachel . Eddie . 2023-06-16 . Liberal women demand dumped MP Moira Deeming be reinstated . 2023-06-16 . The Age . en-AU . registration . 16 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230616064247/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/liberal-women-demand-dumped-mp-moira-deeming-be-reinstated-20230616-p5dh54.html . live .
  29. News: Ore . Adeshola . John Pesutto's leadership under fresh strain as two further defamation cases loom . The Guardian . 18 March 2024 . 31 March 2024.
  30. Web site: McCubbing . Gus . Pesutto's leadership in crisis amid new defamation proceedings . The Australian Financial Review . 18 March 2024 . 31 March 2024.
  31. News: Kolovos . Benita . Ore . Adeshola . Victorian opposition leader accused of trashing activist's reputation in second defamation suit . The Guardian . 19 March 2024 . 31 March 2024.
  32. News: Kolovos . Benita . Three defamation cases against Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto to be heard in single trial . The Guardian . 28 March 2024 . 31 March 2024.
  33. Web site: Cosoleto . Tara . Three defamation cases against Liberal leader John Pesutto over 2023 rally . Nine News . 28 March 2024 . Nine Network . 31 March 2024.
  34. Web site: Beatty . Liam . John Pesutto: Victorian Liberal leader to fight three defamation cases at trial . News.com.au . News Corp . 31 March 2024.
  35. Web site: Willingham . Richard . Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto settles two defamation cases . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 18 May 2024.
  36. Web site: Brown . Melissa . Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto apologises after settling two defamation cases . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 18 May 2024.
  37. News: Preiss . Benjamin . Labor claims victory in blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Hawthorn . 4 December 2018 . 30 October 2021 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 30 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211030061715/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-claims-victory-in-blue-ribbon-liberal-seat-hawthorn-20181204-p50k5w.html . live . registration.
  38. News: Preiss . Benjamin . The lessons that must be learnt from Pesutto's loss . 5 December 2018 . 30 October 2021 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 30 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211030061717/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-lessons-that-must-be-learned-from-pesutto-s-loss-20181205-p50k9h.html . live . registration.
  39. News: Fowler . Michael . 'Come back and lead'? Not quite, but Pesutto wants more than just a comeback . 2021-03-21 . 2021-10-30 . The Age . Fairfax Media . 2021-10-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211030061718/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/come-back-and-lead-not-quite-but-pesutto-wants-more-than-just-a-comeback-20210320-p57ch4.html . live . registration.
  40. Web site: Smethurst . Annika . No, no, no: Pesutto was meant to be the great moderate. Where's the evidence? . The Age . February 2024 . 7 May 2024.
  41. News: McCubbing . Gus . Victorian Liberals question Voice after listening to their 'gut' . 13 April 2023 . Australian Financial Review . 12 February 2023 . en . 19 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319031505/https://www.afr.com/politics/victorian-liberals-question-voice-after-listening-to-their-gut-20230212-p5cjty . live .
  42. Web site: Victorian Liberal MPs to have free vote in Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum . . Dan . Oakes . 2 May 2023 . 19 June 2023 . 18 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230618235053/https://amp.abc.net.au/article/102285654 . live .
  43. Web site: Kolovos . Benita . Ore . Adeshola . 22 January 2024 . Treaty could make people 'feel more divided', Victorian opposition leader says, as Coalition withdraws support . TheGuardian.com.
  44. Web site: Eddie . Rachel . Carmody . Broede . 16 January 2024 . Premier 'seeking further advice' on pill testing after overdoses at festivals . 28 March 2024 . The Age.
  45. Web site: Eddie . Rachel . 11 March 2024 . State stands by plan to raise age of criminal responsibility . 28 March 2024 . The Age.
  46. News: Rooney . Kieran . Pesutto vows to pause and review Suburban Rail Loop . 7 June 2024 . The Age . 28 January 2024 . en.
  47. Web site: John Pesutto . Liberal Victoria . Liberal Party of Australia . 11 June 2022 . 3 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220603015048/https://vic.liberal.org.au/team/john-pesutto . live .
  48. Web site: Victorian Opposition leader John Pesutto: "I am from the Greek parts of Italy, Calabria" . Fotis . Kapetopoulos . 20 April 2023 . 26 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230826083931/https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/04/20/news/australia/victorian-opposition-leader-john-pesutto-i-am-from-the-greek-parts-of-italy-calabria/ . 26 August 2023 . live . Neos Kosmos.

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