Battle for Victorian Liberal leadership on a knife-edge ahead of ballot

Contest between Brad Battin and John Pesutto described by several MPs as a fight for the soul of the party'

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The contest between Brad Battin and John Pesutto for the leadership of the Victorian Liberal party is on a knife-edge, with both men confident they will emerge from Thursday's ballot successful.

The ballot has been described by several Liberal MPs as the fight for the soul of the party" following its crushing loss at last month's state election.

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