Vic Libs reeling over secret Baillieu tape PUBLISHED: 24 JUN 2014 12:38:00 | UPDATED: 25 JUN 2014 05:58:53 LUCILLE KEEN AND MATHEW DUNCKLEY An embarrassing leaked recording of former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu criticising other Liberal MPs to journalists has inflamed tensions in the party. In the recording of a conversation with an Age journalist Mr Baillieu slammed the factional divides which led to the selection of Tim Smith to contest the blue-ribbon seat of Kew at the next election. Mr Baillieu supported front bencher Mary Wooldridge in her unsuccessful tilt for the seat. Mr Baillieu also criticises MPs Michael Gidley and Murray Thompson and the conservative faction that overturned Denis Napthine as opposition leader in 2002 to be replaced by Robert Doyle. “The technique with Michael Gidley was the technique with Tim Smith,” Mr Baillieu said. He also criticised balance-of-power MP Geoff Shaw. Mr Shaw quit the parliamentary Liberal Party, citing a lack of faith in the leadership, contributing to Mr Baillieu’s resignation hours later. “Shaw has been sponsored into his position by a bunch of people from the very first day led by Bernie Finn and some crazy mates in the parliamentary team and a very senior member of the organisation who is very close to [federal MP] Kevin Andrews,” he said. Mr Shaw said Mr Baillieu can hold his own opinions but the “sad thing is he didn’t allow” his backbenchers any opinions while he was premier. He said claims about his backers were false and he was in a safe Liberal seat, “he takes for granted”. Mr Baillieu declined to comment. Former premier Jeff Kennett denied factional rivalry removed Mr Baillieu and said the comments were the “height of political stupidity by someone who was lost, bitter and doesn’t enjoy what he is doing”. The government trails the Labor opposition in opinion polls ahead of the November election. Dr Napthine refused to comment saying it was a matter for Mr Baillieu. In a statement Liberal Party state director Damien Mantach said the email and recording was sent from someone alleging to be an Elizabeth McRobert and there was no party member with that name. The recording is an off-the-record interview with a journalist from The Age. Fairfax Media, the publisher of The Australian Financial Review, has said the tape recorder which contained the recording was stolen shortly after the state budget in May. The email leaking the recording claimed the tape was emailed by an Age reporter which was strongly denied. Editor in chief of The Age Andrew Holden said he was ‘‘appalled by the defamatory claims made in the email and rejects them totally’’. ‘‘Our reporters do not take part in the internal matters of political parties and we always respect confidentiality of information and sources,’’ he said. The Australian Financial Review BY LUCILLE KEEN Lucille covers national news and politics from our Melbourne bureau. .