Victorian opposition leader loses second senior official in eight days | Victorian Politics

Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy has lost his second senior official in eight days, less than four months after the state elections, following the abrupt resignation of his communications director.

Leigh Anderson, who has held the position for 12 months, resigned Wednesday morning after a source said Guy disagreed. New Chief of Staff Nick McGowan.

McGowan was appointed Monday afternoon, succeeding Mitch Catlin, who resigned last week. age report He had proposed asking Liberal Party donors to pay his private marketing firm over $100,000 for services described as “supporting business interests.” .

McGowan, who was Guy’s best man at the wedding and his chief of staff when he was planning to become minister, had only three months left before running for the new Northeast Metropolitan Senate seat. do not hold a position.

Liberal MP Georgie Crozier denied there was a disagreement between Anderson and McGowan.

“This is a decision Lee has made. It is a personal decision and he has returned home on the interstate,” Crozier told reporters Wednesday. Hmm.”

Anderson is a former executive producer for 7 News Melbourne, has family in Tasmania, but commuted while in the role.

He will be replaced by Alex Woff, who already works for the opposition media team, and his adviser, Anja Woff, will be promoted to deputy director of public affairs.

Crozier denied that the Liberals were losing decades of experience with Anderson’s resignation.

“Lee continues to offer to offer advice, and I am very grateful for that,” she said. We have a team, and they’ve learned a lot from Lee.”

She insisted Guy lead the party for the November 26th election, despite the chaos in his office.

Several liberal lawmakers said they had no plans to challenge Guy’s leadership, but expressed concern that his recent resignation was proving to be a distraction months after the vote.

McGowan’s dual role as a candidacy and as chief of staff was “troublesome” given Guy’s criticism of the Labor Party’s Red Shirt scandal, in which MPs misused taxpayer funds by campaigning during office hours. It is described as “high risk”.

“Send one campaign-related email during working hours and you can start another own goal again,” said one MP. “There is absolutely no room for that.”

Guy said McGowan will not campaign for individual elections during normal working hours.

The opposition leader told reporters this week that he would no longer answer questions about Katrin’s proposal.

He previously denied that it was an attempt to circumvent the state’s strict donation law, which mandates disclosure of donations over $1,050 and limits them to $4,210 over four years.

Guy suggests that the proposed payment was considered part of Katrin’s employment as chief of staff.

Government Services Minister Danny Pearson issued a media release Wednesday morning detailing Guy’s refusal to answer questions on the matter “at least 54 times”.

“With less than 100 days left for Victorians to start voting, Victorians have a right to know the true extent of Matthew Guy’s involvement,” Pearson said.

Guardian Australia attempted to contact Anderson and McGowan.