[3] In the Shadow Cabinet reshuffle by incoming leader John Pesutto in December 2022, Newbury retained the portfolios of Equality and Environment and Climate Change but was also elevated to the leadership team as Manager of Opposition Business.

[11] Newbury won the seat in an electoral landslide for the Labor Party but suffered an 8.7% swing against him, and was in danger of losing the previously safe Liberal seat to a relatively unheard of 19 year old who had only joined the Labor party two months prior and whose entire electoral campaign budget was $1750.

[18] Newbury is a supporter of abortion rights, who criticised a Liberal Party colleague Bernie Finn in May 2022, calling his anti-abortion views "deeply disturbing and dangerous".

[21] Newbury has backed the idea that police should be able to racially profile people that they question, and to store that information for future reference.

[23][24] Newbury has called for an end to the state’s culls to Victoria's feral brumby population, pledging to stop the eradication, if elected to government.

[28] Newbury drew media attention when he gave an "iron clad guarantee" that the Victorian Liberals would not amend new laws banning gay conversion therapy.

[33] He was criticised in December 2024, including by the Nationals, for labelling the Premier and Treasurer, who both represent regional Victorian electorates, as ‘out-of-towners’ in regard to the government’s housing and planning initiatives for Melbourne.