In a dramatic morning at Spring Street, Victorian Liberal MPs have elected Jess Wilson as the new Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, ending the short tenure of Brad Battin, who was informed late on Monday night that he had lost the confidence of the party room.
Wilson, the Member for Kew and widely considered one of the party’s rising stars, becomes the first woman to lead the Victorian Liberals in their history. Her election marks a significant generational shift within a party struggling with internal fractures, declining electoral fortunes, and the need to redefine its identity against the Allan government.
The decisive moment came during a tense party room meeting early Tuesday. According to multiple Liberal MPs, Battin addressed colleagues before the vote, offering what one described as “the most gracious” concession they had witnessed. “He spoke about the future. The leader will get his support. Incredible character,” one MP told the Herald Sun.
Moments later, sources confirmed Wilson had secured the required numbers. Party members are now deliberating over additional leadership positions, including deputy leader — a role expected to change hands following Wilson’s elevation.
The lead-up: A party under pressure
The spill was triggered after MPs from across the Liberal Party’s ideological factions confronted Battin, informing him he no longer commanded majority support. The internal push intensified following a string of poor polls and persistent concerns about direction, messaging, and voter engagement.
Adding to the pressure, Deputy Leader Sam Groth and Upper House Leader David Davis were seen heading directly to Battin’s office early Tuesday, an indication of frantic last-minute discussions before the leadership showdown. Both are expected to lose their positions as the party refreshes its leadership team.
Former Opposition Leader John Pesutto, who survived a spill less than a year ago, described the day as “challenging for everybody,” urging MPs to act with respect and focus on delivering stability for Victorians.
A shock poll and a leadership collapse
The leadership revolt unfolded just as exclusive polling published earlier in the week suggested Battin remained competitive against Labor, even holding an “election-winning position.”
But MPs dismissed the numbers as unconvincing, arguing the party required a new, disciplined figure capable of uniting its increasingly fragmented ranks.
Wilson’s supporters argue she represents exactly that shift — a younger, policy-focused, and pragmatic conservative capable of appealing to metropolitan voters the party has struggled to retain.
Wilson’s next challenge
Wilson now faces the daunting task of rebuilding the party’s relevance after years of internal instability and electoral setbacks. Her leadership comes as the Allan government maintains a commanding parliamentary majority and continues to dominate the political agenda on infrastructure, energy, and law-and-order issues.
The new Liberal leader is expected to make a statement later today outlining her priorities, including party unity, rebuilding trust with voters, and sharpening the opposition’s critique of government spending and governance.
As the Victorian Liberals seek a fresh start, Wilson’s election marks a historic turning point — and the beginning of an uncertain but decisive new chapter for the state’s largest conservative party.
