Jess Wilson Becomes First Female Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party

Jess Wilson has marked a defining moment in Victorian political history by becoming the first woman to lead the state’s Liberal Party, rising to the top after only three years in parliament.

Jess Wilson has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first female leader of the Victorian Liberal Party after successfully challenging Brad Battin for the position. Her rapid rise through the party ranks has been one of the most notable developments in Victorian politics in recent years.

The leadership challenge took place on Tuesday morning, following increasing concerns among Liberal MPs regarding Mr Battin’s performance. A group of MPs representing multiple factions met with him on Monday to communicate that he no longer held the confidence of the party room.

Mr Battin had been leader only since last December, when he launched his own challenge against former leader John Pesutto. During that spill, Ms Wilson also put her name forward but was eliminated in the early rounds of voting. Less than a year later, she returned with renewed support and successfully secured the top position — a remarkable achievement for a first-term MP.

Ms Wilson, the Member for Kew, entered parliament after winning the seat in the 2022 state election. She emerged victorious from a competitive preselection contest to replace former frontbencher Tim Smith, who withdrew from the race after a controversial drink-driving incident.

Before entering politics, she worked at KPMG and later served as an adviser to former federal MP Josh Frydenberg. Her political roots run deep, with her father Ron Wilson having served as the Member for Bennettswood between 1999 and 2002. In her first parliamentary speech, she honored her father, acknowledging both his influence and her own independent path through roles such as president of the Monash Liberal Club and Victorian Young Liberal state president.

Despite her early success, her time in the Young Liberals was not without internal challenges, including surviving a leadership challenge in 2016.

Over the past three years, Ms Wilson has held seven different portfolios, most recently being appointed shadow treasurer in a reshuffle led by Mr Battin. Known for her moderate stance, she was the only Victorian Liberal MP to publicly support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Her leadership marks a significant turning point for the party. Former Liberal strategist Tony Barry described her election as a “fresh start,” highlighting her appeal as a young professional woman and her strong economic background — qualities he believes will be crucial in reconnecting with voters and challenging the current Labor government.