The Victorian Liberal Party is considering asking for federal government JobKeeper payments to keep its staff employed after donations to the party “fell off a cliff” during the coronavirus crisis.

The Liberals, who say they are considering their options, may lodge the claim for economic hardship despite selling their former headquarters for $37 million less than two years ago.

The party’s key decision-making group agreed on Thursday to allow state director Sam McQuestin to explore access to the payments despite some senior figures conceding it was a “bad look”. The party's weak financial position has left it prepared to defy the internal warnings about political embarrassment associated with tapping a multi-billion dollar bailout designed by its federal branch.

"Exploring all options" Liberal Party state director Sam McQuestin Credit:Philip Biggs

The JobKeeper allowance, a $130 billion plan hatched by the state Liberals' federal colleagues as part of the Morrison government's massive financial response to the COVID-19 crisis, is designed to keep workers attached to their jobs, even if they are stood down by employers who cannot afford to pay them.