Two women are set to go head-to-head as leaders of their parties at the next Victorian state election, after Jess Wilson was elected to lead the Liberal Party and Opposition against Jacinta Allan’s Labor Government.
Wilson was elected by Liberal MPs to replace Brad Battin during the leadership spill this morning, making her the first woman to lead the Coalition in Victoria.
She takes the helm while still serving her first term as a state MP, holding the seat of Kew in inner Melbourne.
Wilson also joins a small list of party leaders who have taken the job while still in their thirties.
Prior to running for office, she worked with the former federal energy minister Josh Frydenberg and at the Business Council of Australia as Executive Director of Policy. She previously served as leader of the Young Liberals, and has held shadow ministry positions in 2022. She was first nominated to lead the party in December 2024 but was eliminated in the first round of voting.
The vote to spill the leadership was divided in Melbourne on Tuesday, with 19 votes in favour and 13 against. Once decided, Wilson was elected unopposed.
Battin had served as leader since only December last year, after John Pesutto was ousted.
Shortly after announcing the leadership win, Wilson told reporters she will prioritise the budget, crime reduction, increased healthcare access, and home ownership for Victorians.
She said she will “work every day” to ensure Victorians have a “clear and credible alternative to vote for that gives them hope for the future of Victoria.”
Sam Groth will continue to serve as the party’s deputy leader.
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