Sitting South West Coast MP possible deputy leader, guaranteed key portfolio
Double act: Sitting South West Coast MP Roma Britnell and former opposition treasurer Michael O'Brien in Warrnambool on November 18, just days before the state election. They could finish up leading the state Liberal Party. Picture: Morgan Hancock
SITTING South West Coast MP Roma Britnell is being talked about in Liberal Party circles as a possible deputy leader after the shock loss of Louise Staley in Ripon.
Mrs Britnell is expected to be officially announced the winner of the SWC election on Wednesday after the final round of preferences counting.
Ms Staley lost Ripon by just 31 votes on Tuesday to Labor candidate Sarah De Santis.
She was the leading candidate to be the Liberal Party new deputy leader after the November 24 election landslide win by Labor.
Former opposition treasurer Michael O'Brien is expected to be elected the Liberal Party leader after the resignation of former leader Matthew Guy and the loss of the other key candidate, John Pesutto, in the previously safe seat of Hawthorn.
If Mrs Britnell does not become the deputy leader, she is considered a certainty by insiders to be given a key opposition cabinet position.