New Victorian Liberal Leader Vows to Get $200 Billion of Debt Under Control

Jess Wilson took over Brad Battin as leader of the Victorian Liberal team.

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

New Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson has vowed to get the state’s spiralling debt under control to invest in essential services, including health care.

Wilson’s other priorities will include reducing the cost of living, addressing the crime crisis, providing healthcare, and offering more Victorians the opportunity to own their own home.

“We have a government that has seen financial mismanagement in this state deliver net debt soaring towards $200 billion (US$130 billion),” she told reporters.

“An interest bill every single day over $20 million. That is the state of the finances here in Victoria, and my focus will be to get the budget back under control so we can deliver the essential services of Victoria.”

Wilson, 35, was elected leader unopposed on Nov. 18 after a spill motion was launched against former leader Brad Battin. A delegation of moderate and conservative MPs informed Battin he did not have the support to lead the Liberals to the next election on Nov. 18.

The millennial MP became the first woman to lead the Victorian Liberal Party ahead of the state election set for November 2026.

Wilson said her job now was to focus on Victorians to make sure the Liberals are providing them with a credible alternative.

This includes ending the “absolute era of waste” under the Labor government.

“Fifty-billion dollars of cost blowouts, $600 million to cancel the Commonwealth Games. This is a government that has its priorities all wrong, and Victorians tell me absolutely every day they are desperate for change,” she said.

Wilson highlighted that government cannot invest in essential services without a balanced budget.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Wilson said she wants to see the state’s health care services delivering for Victorians, and raised concerns about the waiting lists at hospitals.

“When we have a waiting list with 58,000 people on it, it’s simply not doing the job to ensure the Victorians are getting access to the services they need,” she said.

Wilson also promised to make housing in Victoria more affordable. She said that as a millennial, she understands the pressures of trying to get a foot onto the property ladder.

“I understand that so many in my generation and below have lost hope when it comes to trying to buy their own home, and I will be unrelenting in ensuring that home ownership and housing affordability is part of our plan and our future,” Wilson said.

Wilson Supports Renewable Energy Investment

On renewable energy, Wilson promised to reduce emissions but said cheaper power would be the priority.

“Emissions reduction is always part of our economic vision and part of our energy plan. But what I'd say here is that under this Labor government, what we have seen is spiralling electricity prices,” she said.

“We are firmly focused on delivering emissions reduction, investing in renewable energy, but we will be absolutely unashamedly focused on delivering cheaper power for Victorians and ensuring that the lights will turn on.”

Battin Proud of His Role Leading the Party

Battin graciously accepted defeat and told reporters he was “feeling fantastic” following the leadership showdown.

“Can I just come out here and say as a very proud member of the Victorian Liberal Party, I stand continuously proud in the role that I’ve done and the things that I have done for the community,” Battin said.

Battin said the Victorian Liberal Party now had a very clear path to go towards the next election.

“Politics isn’t about just being inside the parliament, it’s actually about people. It’s about the people we are supposed to be representing. In the time I’ve been in this role, it’s been an absolute privilege,” he said.

Wilson has promised that Battin will continue to play a key role on the team going forward.

Labor Takes Aim at Liberals

The Victorian Labor Party has released a video criticising the Liberals for being divided on “everything except cutting the services Victorians rely on.”

“What do we know about new Liberal Party Liberal leader Jess Wilson. She leads the Victorian Liberals, the party whose last time in government saw them making massive cuts to health and education, and now they are promising $11.1 billion in new cuts,” the video said.

Wilson was elected as the Member for Kew in 2022 and did not serve in the previous Victorian Liberal government.