Brad Battin has spent his career dedicated to serving the people of Victoria, first as a police officer and later as a politician. Now, as the leader of the Opposition and State Member for Berwick, he is focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the state.
From crime and economic recovery to infrastructure and multicultural engagement, Battin is determined to bring a fresh perspective to Victoria’s political landscape.
His leadership comes at a time of significant change within the Liberal Party, following internal shifts and the need to reconnect with Victorians. With the next state election in his sights, Battin is making it clear he wants to do more than just talk about change – he wants to lead by example.
In an interview with The Greek Herald, Battin outlined his leadership approach, policy priorities, and how he plans to connect with communities across Victoria, including the Greek Australian diaspora.
Taking the helm amid party turmoil:
Assuming the role of Opposition Leader following internal upheaval within the Liberal Party and the ousting of John Pesutto MP, Battin is not shy of acknowledging the challenge he faces to restore confidence among Victorians.
“It all comes down to, from here on, hard work,” he said, emphasising a strong work ethic among his team and pointing to their recent efforts in by-elections.
In terms of major policy priorities, Battin said he will be focused on cost-of-living pressures, crime, and infrastructure.
“We know that our focus is going to be on people in the community who are really suffering when it comes to cost of living, particularly around housing, rental prices, and affording a home,” he said.
He identified high state taxes as a significant barrier to affordability and vowed to explore tax reductions to ease the burden.
Crime and Infrastructure:
Crime also remains a major concern for Victorians. Recent data indicates a 10.7% increase in criminal incidents in the year leading up to June 2024, with thefts reaching their highest level in nearly a decade.
Battin, a former police officer, aims to overhaul the bail system to curb repeat offences.
“One of the first things we would do when we get into Parliament – if we were elected in 2026 – is to fix the Bail Act to ensure that we can stop the catch-and-release program that’s currently running here in the state,” he explained.
With nearly 1,100 vacancies in Victoria Police, Battin also highlighted the need to recruit officers and enhance street patrols to deter crime.
“If you get more police out there, it makes it harder to commit crime and we think that crime prevention is the best model for us moving forward,” he said.
Infrastructure is another key issue, with many Victorians struggling due to inadequate transport systems.
“There’s a lot of money sitting in the growth area infrastructure contribution funds that the government hasn’t used, and these people are suffering by sitting in traffic and waiting to get home from work each night,” Battin stated.
“So we want to make sure we have a long-term plan on infrastructure… so we can get people home sooner.”
Economic Revival and Business Support:
Economic concerns are also central to the Liberal Party’s agenda, with Battin pledging to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses and restore Melbourne’s vibrancy.
“The pride in Victoria, and particularly in Melbourne, has been lost. We’re seeing a lot of people who don’t want to come into the capital city anymore,” he said.
He sees cutting red tape and tax reform as crucial steps towards reinvigorating the business landscape and attracting more people back to the city.
Championing multicultural communities
Acknowledging Victoria’s rich multicultural fabric, Battin committed to supporting diverse communities, particularly in areas like small business, aged care, and cultural preservation.
“As a representative of one of the fastest-growing communities in Victoria in Berwick… I understand the importance of the aspirations that these communities have,” he said.
“They want to go out, run their own businesses and operate them. They feel the impacts that every other business feels. They know they’ve got a government that has lost control of the debt and therefore, they’re coming after them for taxes and making it almost unaffordable.
“It’s really important that we put more money back into the pocket of those businesses and the way to do that is to have a fair attack system because at the end of the day, if they employ more people… then it’s only going to be a benefit for the state long-term.”
Addressing concerns about media sustainability, he recognised the role of multicultural outlets in informing and uniting communities.
“The reality is, local papers through multicultural communities are vital so it’s really important as a government that we find ways to support them, whether it’s through advertising or putting in place to work with them in the longer term…” he affirmed.
“We do believe in supporting those local and multicultural papers for the future. They’re just too important.”
Engaging with the Greek community:
The Greek community in Victoria, one of the largest outside of Greece, plays a vital role in the state’s identity. Battin pledged to engage with the community through roundtable discussions and events that celebrate Greek culture.
“We know that the Greek community here in Victoria is not just important – it actually also brings tourism to the area. We know that you have some of the best events in different parts of Melbourne and that creates opportunities for other businesses,” he said.
Highlighting the upcoming Antipodes Festival on Lonsdale Street, he underscored the role of such events in fostering social cohesion.
“We’ve always been very supportive, and have supported in the past many of these festivals and we will continue to do that moving forward. We believe that they are an investment,” he stated.
A call for open dialogue:
As he looks to the future, Battin called for greater engagement between government and community stakeholders.
“It’s really important that we have an open and honest dialogue. As a new leader, I’ve got a lot to learn, so I encourage people within all of our communities throughout Victoria to reach out if they’ve got ideas…” he said.
With the 2026 state election on the horizon, Battin’s leadership and policy proposals will continue to take shape. His commitment to tackling crime, easing cost-of-living pressures, and supporting multicultural communities will be key themes as he positions himself as an alternative to the current government.