Brad Battin has denied sidelining rivals in his new-look Victorian shadow ministry, as former leader John Pesutto shuffles to the backbench.
Unveiling his cabinet after Mr Pesutto was deposed as state Liberal leader in late 2024, Mr Battin on Tuesday elevated his backers and demoted supporters of his predecessor.
Brighton MP James Newbury was handed the prized shadow treasury portfolio at the expense of Brad Rowswell, who will take over the lesser responsibilities of environment, digital transformation and public service innovation.
Leading moderate Jess Wilson, who unsuccessfully took on Mr Battin for the top job, lost her role as finance spokeswoman but Mr Battin insisted she was not being punished.
"She's going to have economic growth but she's also going to have all education," he said.
"That is one of the greatest challenges."
Former party deputy David Southwick was removed as transport infrastructure spokesman and will take the reins of police and corrections, while former nurse Georgie Crozier remains health spokeswoman after she was replaced as upper house leader by David Davis.
Mr Battin said the moves were not linked to factional allegiances or poor performances.
"Not all at," he said.
Mr Battin toppled Mr Pesutto after a Federal Court judge found he defamed expelled MP Moira Deeming, who was let back into the Liberal party room after almost two years of internal turmoil.
The leadership spill came weeks after Mr Pesutto overtook Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan as preferred leader in a Resolve Political Monitor poll.
Mr Battin said his predecessor was offered a job in the shadow cabinet but declined.
"I assure you that when our alternative government is successful … on November 28 (2026) that John Pesutto will be a very strong part of that team,” he said.
Bev McArthur, one of Mr Pesutto’s main detractors, will replace him in shadow cabinet as opposition spokeswoman for local government and government scrutiny.
Mr Battin dismissed concerns about the veteran upper house MP’s age.
"She is up before me, she goes to bed after me and she works exceptionally hard," he said.
New deputy leader Sam Groth, who quit Mr Pesutto's shadow cabinet before thrusting his support behind Mr Battin, will add shadow minister of state to his responsibilities.
Former state leader Matthew Guy has been tasked with heading up the new portfolio of "transition to government" before the 2026 state poll.
Mr Battin defended handing the role to the man who led the coalition to back-to-back election drubbings in 2018 and 2022.
"He's been involved in parliament since 2006," he said.
Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence will take over from Mr Newbury as manager of opposition business in the lower house after also backing Mr Battin to replace Mr Pesutto.
But women still only account for eight of Mr Battin's 23-member shadow cabinet.
Mrs Deeming was not called up to shadow cabinet or the outer ministry, with Mr Battin declaring the western metropolitan region MP needed to focus on helping the Liberals at the February 8 by-election in Werribee.
Mr Battin will face his first electoral test as leader in the Werribee by-election, triggered by the retirement of long-time treasurer Tim Pallas.
The Liberals, Greens and minor parties will battle it out on the same day for the inner city seat of Prahran after Greens MP Sam Hibbins quit following revelations he had an affair with a staffer.
