Former premier Jeff Kennett has urged Liberal MPs to back Opposition Leader John Pesutto and flagged the need to offer financial support to help foot his massive legal bill.
“We’ll have to raise some funds for John to pay for this,” he told this masthead. “He was the leader of the party and if this sort of legal action was to take place on a regular basis no one would stand for parliament.
“We have got to raise some money to make sure he is not bankrupted.”
Former premier Jeff Kennett.Credit: Getty Images
“Thank god it is over,” Kennett said.
“He hasn’t acted dishonourably, he has acted as honestly as he could and in many cases, he was representing the party’s view.”
When asked whether Pesutto should continue as party leader, Kennett urged Liberal MPs to back him.
“From what I have heard, most of the party are shocked at this decision and coming to grips with it, but now, it’s about everyone coming together and supporting the leader and getting on with the job we were elected to do. This is now a test of everyone in the party.
“I now hope the party will get behind him as they should and John will now lead us into the next election. I want to focus on the main game. We have got to change the government.”