Former premier Ted Baillieu is bowing out of politics, vacating the prized seat of Hawthorn just three months from the November 29 election.
In a shock announcement which caught the Coalition government off guard, Mr Baillieu said he had advised Premier Denis Napthine he would not be recontesting his seat.
Mr Baillieu has previously pledged to stay on, resisting pressure from some quarters that he vacate his plum electorate to make way for fresh talent.
On Friday Mr Baillieu, who stood down as premier in March 2013 after facing pressure from within his own party, was giving little insight into his thinking.
In a statement released to the media, Mr Baillieu gave little away.
“On reflection, now is the right time to step aside and provide an opportunity, in time for the Party to select, a fresh face to join the Liberal team,” he said.
“I do so knowing the Coalition Government has an exceptional record of achievement and a powerful agenda to build a better Victoria.”
The announcement set off a flurry of speculation about who might replace him in Hawthorne, which the Coalition holds by a margin of 16.6 per cent.
Institute of Public Affairs director John Roskam is believed to the mix of potential candidates. Public relations consultant Jason Aldworth is also being touted as a possibility.
John Pessuto, who has a long history in the party and currently serves a Premier Denis Napthine’s legal council, is understood to be “very interested” and is regarded by many as a strong candidate.
Mr Baillieu entered politics in 1999 as the member for Hawthorn.
The former architect held a number of shadow ministries including Tertiary Education and Training, Gaming, Planning and the Arts. More recently he has been chair of the Victorian Government’s ANZAC Centenary Committee.
He was elected Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party in 2006.
A spokeswoman from Mr Baillieu’s office said he would not be addressing media. It is understood that Mr Baillieu is working in his office today.
The former premier’s private conversation was at the centre of the dictaphone scandal that has recently enveloped Victorian politics. In the conversation, which was between Mr Baillieu and a Fairfax journalist, he criticised his Liberal colleagues.
