In a dramatic and historic move, the Victorian Liberal Party has ousted its leader, Brad Battin, and elected Kew MP Jess Wilson as the new Opposition Leader, making her the first woman to ever lead the party in the state's history.
A Swift Leadership Change
The political upheaval occurred on Tuesday morning, less than a year after Mr. Battin ascended to the top job. A delegation of Liberal MPs visited Mr. Battin on Monday afternoon, informing him that he had lost the support of the party room. This was followed by further calls from colleagues delivering the same stark message, paving the way for a successful leadership spill.
Ms. Wilson, a 35-year-old former staffer to ex-federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, arrived at the crucial party meeting flanked by supporters Brad Rowswell and Evan Mulholland. In contrast, Mr. Battin walked into the party room alone, facing his political fate.
New Leader's Vision for Victoria
Following her election, the new leader immediately outlined her priorities for the state. Jess Wilson stated her focus would be on tackling the crime crisis and making healthcare and homeownership more accessible for all Victorians.
"I will work every day for Victorians to make sure at the next election they have a clear and credible alternative to vote for that gives them hope for the future of Victoria," she told reporters.
Mr. Battin addressed the media briefly after the spill, stating, "I stand continuously proud in the role that I've done and the things that I've done for the community." He expressed confidence that the Victorian Liberal Party now has a very clear path to the next election.
Party Reactions and the Road Ahead
The leadership change has sent ripples through the party, with various MPs weighing in. Hawthorn MP John Pesutto, who was himself replaced by Mr. Battin in December, remained neutral, saying, "I just want to see us make a decision today and move towards the next election. Because at the end of the day this is all about the Victorian people."
Former opposition leader Matthew Guy categorically ruled out a return to the leadership, joking that his wife of 18 years would get her wish. Meanwhile, retiring party stalwart Kim Wells pointed to "a lot of unfortunate mistakes" over recent months.
This leadership spill occurs against a backdrop of internal tensions since the party's crushing defeat in the 2022 election. Despite the three-term Labor government grappling with soaring crime and state debt, support for the opposition had slipped in recent reputable polls. However, a Freshwater poll published on Tuesday suggested the coalition was narrowly ahead of Labor.
Jess Wilson's rapid rise marks the party's fifth leader since September 2021. Her historic election as the first female leader signals a potential new direction for the Victorian Liberals as they prepare to face the polls in less than a year.
