[5] After losing his seat in the 2018 Victorian state election, Pesutto took up an honorary post in the school of government at the University of Melbourne, established his own consultancy firm called Hugo Benice Advisory offering legal work and media, government and competition advice, and maintained a presence in the media through writing columns for The Age and appearing on ABC Radio and Joy FM.

[7] Pesutto was pre-selected as Liberal Party candidate for Hawthorn after defeating John Roskam of the Institute of Public Affairs for the position.

[10] Pesutto won re-election in the state election on 26 November 2022 against Labor incumbent John Kennedy and teal independent challenger Melissa Lowe on a 1.7% margin.

[39][40][41] However, Pesutto has been criticised for failing to demonstrate or affirm his moderate credentials during his time in the Victorian parliament, and for consistently opposing progressive social policies.

[example needed][42] Pesutto has been outspoken against the Victorian government’s previously proposed payroll tax reforms, which he has argued threatens to close medical clinics and undermine bulk-billing services.

[45][46][47] In May 2024, Pesutto pledged new measures to reduce planning approval delays, focusing on cutting "red tape" for new residential housing developments.

Critics including Premier Jacinta Allan and the First Peoples' Assembly argue that this approach could undermine the importance of cultural heritage protection, particularly for Indigenous communities.

[49] In early 2023, leading up to the unsuccessful 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, Pesutto remained undecided, citing a lack of detail on the proposal and allowed party room members to have a conscience vote.

This code would aim to address misconduct and cost blowouts on Big Build infrastructure projects which have exceeded $38 billion, including the North East Link and West Gate Tunnel.

[55] A new regulatory body, Construction Enforcement Victoria, would oversee compliance with the code, ensuring standards are met in areas like dispute resolution and the prevention of sham contracting.

[57] The proposed inquiry would assess the nature and impact of CFMEU misconduct, evaluate current prevention systems, and examine procurement practices.

[59] Pesutto is opposed to legislation seeking to increase the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old, citing concerns over potential escalation in youth crime rates.