Vic premiership: gift or poisoned chalice?

THEY were both contenders for the ultimate birthday gift - a promotion to leader of the Victorian government.

But whether it was a wish come true, or a gift-wrapped poisoned chalice, remains to be seen.

Maybe Denis Napthine wished harder when he blew out his candles on Wednesday and ended the day as Victorian premier.

Or maybe Matthew Guy tuned into that psychic ability Pisceans are known for and saw trouble ahead.

In a move few, if any, saw coming, Premier Ted Baillieu resigned following a series of scandals that have plagued the government in recent days.

The horror week began with the release of secret tapes which reportedly revealed conversations between Mr Baillieu's chief of staff Tony Nutt and former government adviser Tristan Weston, who was forced to resign after an investigation found he had undermined former police chief Simon Overland.

The tapes reportedly revealed Mr Weston was receiving payments from the Liberal Party and was promised help in finding a new job.

The trigger for Mr Baillieu stepping down was the resignation, hours earlier, of controversial Liberal MP Geoff Shaw, after he claimed to have lost confidence in the government leadership.

His resignation from the Liberals leaves the coalition with only half the seats on the floor of the lower house, and relying on the vote of Mr Shaw - an ex-bouncer accused of misconduct in public office - to remain in power.

Dr Napthine and Mr Guy, who both celebrated their birthdays on Wednesday, were both possible contenders for the top job.

Dr Napthine won.

He now takes the helm of a government with a slender grip on power that is now under threat.