Jeff Kennett: Jess Wilson might sway voters to kick Labor out
The King is dead, long live the Queen. New Liberal leader Jess Wilson might be the reason why many people now have a reason to vote out the worst government in Victoria’s history.
The King is dead, long live the Queen – a truism in politics.
Next week we begin the last quarter, the last lap of the run up to the next state election to be held on November 28 next year.
The current Labor government has clearly – through mismanagement of Victoria’s economy and a lack of honesty and transparency – ensured the Victorian community, individuals, families and industry are substantially worse off than when they were elected in 2014.
Economically, socially, including the security of citizens and property – by any assessment, Labor has lost the right to govern and be re-elected.
It is now up to the Liberal Party to show the community that they can work together and work for Victorians, to demonstrate they have – with their Coalition partners – the policies and intellectual capacity to manage the massively challenging set of economic and social circumstances they will inherit.
So congratulations to Jess Wilson on her elevation to the leadership of the opposition. She has my full support, as all people should extend to their leader.
It is the toughest job in politics, but one advantage Wilson has is that she only has to wait one year before the next election.
She offers a fresh face, with limited parliamentary experience having only been elected to parliament three years ago, which might very well will be an asset in presenting a fresh face and ideas to the electorate – in particular against the tiring Jacinta Allan and all her government represents.
Importantly Wilson is well educated, a young mother, and communicates well.
I have no doubt many young people, women in particular, will relate well to her – even those women who support the Teals and Greens, the latter whose MPs have supported Labor in almost all votes in the Victorian parliament.
Of course one person does not on their own win an election, in fact rarely anything. Teams of people do.
In part, her success will be dependent on what deals she has had to do to secure what turned out to be a narrow victory. A victory nevertheless.
So Wilson inherits the leadership when, as a result of Brad Battin’s hard work over the last year, the opinion polls are saying the Liberals can win the next election.
As Victoria has been descending into a lawless, overtaxed state, people have been crying out for a reason, any reason, to vote the Labor government out of office.
Hopefully Wilson and her team can now build on that solid base established by Battin.
The Victorian public is increasingly vitally concerned about their safety, as crime escalates at times in the most life-ending way. The Labor government has not only under Daniel Andrews reduced laws that gave us some protection, but his successor has done nothing since her elevation to the premiership but give tacit approval to the lawless.
Through violent demonstrations, home invasions, and murderous youth attacks, the Premier and Labor have allowed the culture of lawlessness to develop – until two weeks ago, when based on the research they have conducted, Labor realised community safety was the highest priority of the community and unless addressed would sweep them from office.
Hence the announcements by Allan and the government – announcements, not actions – to address the growing lawlessness in our community.
Battin, with the support of his colleague David Southwick, has been pursuing the issue to the point that it is now the highest community concern, hence Labor’s flurry of announcements.
Yes, the next election will be contested on the state of our economy, taxes and charges, but addressing the lawlessness in our state and community safety will be among the top two or three issues. No point being in Victoria if you and your family are not safe.
Energy costs, hospitals, education, water, and potholes on our roads will all contribute to how a person votes. It has been and always will be “the economy, stupid”. But we also want to be safe, led by a government that clearly puts the interests of the majority above a minority that consistently commit crimes and bear no consequences for their actions.
So a change of political leadership. I feel sorry for Brad Battin – he worked hard and has made substantial political inroads. That said, I congratulate and welcome Jess Wilson. A fresh face, experience and gender to the battle for the hearts and minds of Victorians.
One other matter. There are going to be several current Labor ministers who will be retiring at the next election. Labor knows its time is up. The political pendulum is swinging. Some Labor ministers will be jumping ship.
Importantly, Wilson just might be the reason why many people now have a reason to vote out the worst government in Victoria’s history.
Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria
Originally published as Jeff Kennett: Jess Wilson might sway voters to kick Labor out
‘I wish we had someone like this as PM instead of bumbling Albo’
