Following "months"[1] of speculation surrounding the leadership of the Party, a spill motion was brought on at a party-room meeting on 16 March by long-time Liberal member of the Legislative Council Bruce Atkinson.

[1] It was believed that little-known Gembrook MP, and Shadow Spokesperson for roads, youth justice and crime prevention, Brad Battin, was pushing for a spill motion, with his intention to contest for the leadership.

[2] However, as Battin likely didn't have the votes to secure the motion, nor his success to the leadership, he backed out of the proposal.

[It's] just politically naive, politically stupid, and it simply was brushed aside as it should have been.”[1] On 7 September, after substantial indications that a spill motion would be put forward at a party meeting, including two key resignations the day prior (Matthew Guy, Tim Smith),[7][8] Tim Smith, staunch ally of former leader Matthew Guy, moved for a leadership spill motion against incumbent Michael O'Brien.

[11][12] Several days later, Guy revealed his new shadow cabinet, dropping MPs who voted against the leadership spill motion.