‘I want this mess sorted out’: Dutton refuses to rule out intervening in Victorian Liberal Party

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Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has refused to rule out federal intervention in the Victorian Liberal Party crisis, brought on by MP Moira Deeming’s plan to sue Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto over her nine-month suspension from the parliamentary party.

“I wouldn’t rule out federal intervention and I make it very clear to the Victorian division that I want this mess sorted out as quickly as possible,” Dutton told ABC’s RN Breakfast program.

Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming exits the party room after avoiding a push for her expulsion on March 27.Credit: Darrian Traynor

“My interest is in getting the matters that are in the press at the moment resolved because it doesn’t help our brand. It doesn’t reflect on broader party movements.”

While Dutton said he supported Pesutto as “a decent man” chosen to lead the Victorian parliamentary party, he said the Liberal Party should have been “more competitive at the last state election.”

“They weren’t, and they need to be a credible alternative government.”

He added while the Liberal Party fought internal battles, it was a distraction from putting pressure on the Victorian government.

“Whilst we’re a distraction away from Daniel Andrews, he gets away with more stuff day by day.”

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