Jess Wilson Ousts Brad Battin to Become Victorian Opposition Leader

Wilson was elected to parliament in 2022 and used to work for former federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Melbourne, Australia on Aug. 15, 2024. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

First term Victoria MP Jess Wilson has ousted state Opposition Leader Brad Battin to become the first female leader of the Victorian parliamentary team.

Shadow Treasurer Wilson put her hand up for the leadership after being urged by a cross-factional group of MPs to take the top job.

The 35-year-old is the Member for Kew and daughter of former Victorian MP Ron Wilson, who served in parliament from 1999 to 2002.

Wilson said she was elected “unopposed” by her party room.

“At the election 12 months from now, Victorians have a clear choice. A choice between a tired out-of-touch Labor government, or a new generation Liberal team,” she told reporters.

“And as leader, I have a clear focus. I have clear priorities. One to get the budget back into control, so we can invest in things that matter. Two, to end the crime crisis. Three, to make sure Victorians can get access to the healthcare that they need and deserve, and four, to give every Victorian the best opportunity to own their own home.”

Victorian MPs Brad Battin (2nd right) alongside (L-R) Evan Mulholland, David Davis, and Sam Groth following last year's Victorian Liberal Party leadership spill at Parliament House in Melbourne on Dec. 27, 2024. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Wilson served as Victorian Young Liberal president before entering parliament in 2022.

Her other roles include being a lawyer, an adviser to former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, and Executive Director of Policy at the Business Council of Australia. Wilson reportedly voted “Yes” in The Voice referendum in 2023.

The strike on Battin’s leadership comes while he led Premier Jacinta Allan as both preferred leader and on a two party preferred basis.

Battin, a former police officer, had focused his campaigning on the youth crime wave in the state.

Battin, who deposed John Pesutto in December last year, walked into the party room on Nov. 18 at 8.30 a.m. with his deputy Sam Groth. He was accompanied by David Southwick and Richard Riordan.

Prior to the meeting, he told reporters, “Yes, I will be,” in response to questions over him continuing to be leader.

Wilson was seen entering the room with MPs Evan Mulholland and Brad Rowswell. She had the support of both conservative and moderate factions.

Conservative Bev McArthur won the ballot to lead the Victorian Liberals in the upper house.

Battin Accepts Decision, Will Join New Team

Battin accepted the decision gracefully later in the morning, saying, “We need to see genuine change, and we can’t just wait for it to happen.”

“The Victorian Liberal Party now has a very clear path to go towards the next election when I sat in that room just then and obviously, I’m out here now first, so the vote didn’t go my way,” he told reporters.

“Politics isn’t about just being inside the Parliament. It’s actually about the people, it’s about the people we’re supposed to be representing.”

He said it had been an “absolute privilege” and described his team as “amazing” and wished them all the best.

In turn, Wilson said he was a “tireless supporter and worker for the Liberal Party.”

“We thank him for his work as leader over the past 11 months and I know he will play a key role in the team going forward,” she told reporters.

The Victorian election will be held in November 2026.

Former Premier Questions Need for Spill

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett was critical of the process.

“What’s happening to the state just breaks my heart. The team has obviously been doing the numbers for their own personal interest rather than the interest of the state,” he said on 3AW.

“Brad Battin is a nice guy. He’s got good values, he’s worked hard all his life, he’s working hard in the job he’s got, I don’t know where this has come from ...”

“I don’t know what this says of the party, it’s time the party put the state first, and I think Brad Battin is making great progress in terms of convincing the public that he is worthy, trustworthy to lead us into the next election and win. What does it say about those behind him that want to see changes?”

Kennett noted Wilson had only been in parliament for three years.