The Victorian Liberal Party has seen its third change in leadership in under 12 months but this time, in a historic step, a woman is at the helm.
Opposition Leader and Berwick MP Brad Battin lost the top job to Kew MP Jess Wilson on Tuesday morning, 18 November, after a successful spill.
The 35-year-old is the state party’s third leader in 11 months after John Pesutto was dumped and replaced by Mr Battin in late December.
The first-term millennial MP is the first woman to be elected leader of the party, helping also make history with both Labor and Liberal now led by women.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish congratulated Ms Wilson on her appointment and said it is a positive step for women in politics and the Liberal Party, noting several positions held by women.
“The election of Jess Wilson, the first female leader of the Victorian Liberals, speaks volumes,” she said.
“The Liberal Party now have a federal and state leader which are positive steps.”
Ms McLeish also pointed to the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro, and newly appointed State Director of the party, Alyson Hannam, also the first woman to hold the position.
Bringing the state budget back under control, ending the “crime crisis”, boosting healthcare and increasing home ownership were among Ms Wilson’s top priorities heading into the November 2026 election.
“Victorians have a clear choice,” Ms Wilson said.
“A choice between a tired, out-of-touch Labor government or a new generation Liberal team.”
Supportive of both Ms Wilson as a person and a leader, Ms McLeish was pleased to see Ms Wilson take the reins.
“Jess is an amazing talent who has an incredible work ethic. She understands the need for a clear vision so that the state can get ahead. She has a policy focus and a strong grasp of the miserable state of Victoria’s economy,” she said.
“Complexity isn’t a deterrent; rather, it’s a challenge. At the same time, Jess has a young family and knows what it is like to juggle a career and motherhood.”
Portfolio changes haven’t yet been established but some key positions have been decided.
Former tennis ace turned MP Sam Groth fended off David Southwick to remain the party’s deputy leader.
Bev McArthur replaced David Davis as the party’s upper house leader, with Evan Mulholland retaining his upper house deputy position to round out Ms Wilson’s leadership team.
The leadership coup sets up a head-to-head battle between Ms Wilson and Premier Jacinta Allan to run the state.
Former opposition leader Michael O’Brien said Ms Wilson was the premier’s “worst nightmare”.
Ms Wilson is viewed as a more electorally potent challenger to Labor as a member of the party’s moderate wing and a young mother with business savvy.
The former staffer to ex-federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has previous experience as a Business Council of Australia executive and was immediately elevated to the key portfolio of education after entering parliament in 2022.
Mr Frydenberg immediately thrust his backing behind Ms Wilson, declaring she “has what it takes to lead the state”.
“I have seen first-hand her ability to get across complex policy and to communicate ideas effectively and with empathy,” he wrote on social media.
Ms Allan, who took over from Daniel Andrews as premier after his retirement in September 2023, deflected when asked if she faced a tougher election fight with Ms Wilson as Liberal leader.
“No matter who is the leader of the Liberal Party, they’re still a Liberal,” she said.
The coalition will need to gain at least 17 extra seats to form a majority government.
The Liberals and Nationals have been out of power in Victoria for all but four years since the turn of the century.
Tensions within the Liberals have simmered since a crushing defeat at the 2022 election, spilling into a defamation lawsuit launched by first-term MP Moira Deeming against Mr Pesutto.
