Stuart Smith: Victoria Liberal boss quits over WhatsApp messages disparaging party women
A State Liberal boss is stepping down over a series of leaked messages that poked fun at women in the party.
Victorian Liberal State director Stuart Smith on Thursday morning issued a statement announcing his decision to quit.
“In the best interests of the party I have tendered my resignation to minimise distractions from the important task of winning the next election,” he said.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I regret the comments and have apologised for them.
“I thank the party for the opportunity and wish the team well.”
His sudden departure was set in train after The Australian published leaked WhatsApp messages from a head office staff group chat on Thursday night.
In the messages, Mr Smith made disparaging remarks about the Liberal Women’s Council and 76-year-old Liberal frontbencher Bev McArthur.
Mr Smith has been in the role since 2023, replacing Sam McQuestin after the party’s state election drubbing in November 2022.
He had previously worked as Liberal Party State director in WA.
The Victorian Liberals, in opposition for all but four years since 1999, have been beset by infighting during his tenure.
In June, the State party’s administrative committee came to the rescue of former leader John Pesutto with a $1.55 million loan to settle his debt to first-term MP Moira Deeming.
Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-nazis.
Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore but was welcomed back in December as Mr Pesutto lost the leadership.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted in favour of the loan and called for colleagues to draw a line through the long-running feud.
But administrative committee member Colleen Harkin sought to block the payment over an alleged breach of party rules, with the matter scheduled to return to court in late September.
Liberal MPs and party faithful will assemble in Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday for the annual state council meeting.
Federal deputy leader Ted O’Brien and Mr Battin are expected to speak at the event on Saturday.
State party president Philip Davis will also face a challenge from predecessor Greg Mirabella, who stepped down from the job in 2023 to make an unsuccessful tilt at Senate preselection.
