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

Philip Davis pleads for rival groups to ‘kiss and make up’ after divisive campaign to replace him

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• Victorian Liberals shape up for ‘nastiest, most toxic’ state council in years

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.

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 397.