Victorian Liberals must unite or face ‘crisis’, president warns as moderates swat away challenge for power

<p>Philip Davis pleads for rival groups to ‘kiss and make up’ after divisive campaign to replace him</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/12/victorian-liberal-party-nastiest-most-toxic-state-council-years-leaks-infighting-ntwnfb">Victorian Liberals shape up for ‘nastiest, most toxic’ state council in years</a></p></li></ul><p>The president of the Victorian Liberals, Philip Davis, has warned his party to unite ahead of the 2026 election or “we will be in a crisis”, after he survived a leadership challenge.</p><p>Davis defeated his immediate predecessor, Greg Mirabella, in a vote at the Victorian Liberal party’s state council at Moonee Valley racecourse on Saturday by 493 votes to 404.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/13/victorian-liberals-must-unite-or-face-crisis-president-warns-as-moderates-swat-away-challenge-for-power">Continue reading...</a>