New Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson promises to ‘fix’ Allan Labor government’s ballooning debt
Newly-elected Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson has outlined her priorities should the party snare victory at the polls, saying “dealing with Labor’s debt is a matter of urgency” and promising to fix it.
Newly-elected Liberal leader Jess Wilson has vowed to “fix” the Allan Labor Government’s ballooning debt as a top priority if her party wins power in 2026.
Ms Wilson, 35, was voted in as the new leader on Tuesday, toppling Brad Battin in what Liberal insiders termed the most “efficient” spill in recent memory.
“Dealing with Labor’s debt is a matter of urgency for me and my team,” she told the Herald Sun.
“As Labor continues to ignore it, I commit to deliver a credible plan to fix it. Labor has its head in the sand on debt and has no plan to deal with this massive problem of their own making.
“As leader, my first priority is getting Labor’s spiralling debt under control so we can sustainably invest in the things that really matter and restore hope that the next generation of Victorians will be better off than the last.”
In her first Question Time in the leader’s seat – as Mr Battin settled into the unofficial former leader’s chair next to another former leader John Pesutto – Ms Wilson took a shot at the ballooning state debt which is on track to soar to a staggering $200bn by 2029-2030 – or $71,000 per household.
Official forecasts released in May predicted net debt would continue to rise to $194bn by 2028-29 with an attached interest bill of $10.6bn — more than $1 million an hour.
Several Spring St insiders commented that Ms Allan was clearly fired up when faced by her new opponent in the chamber.
The fact that both leaders from the major parties are a female, means regardless of who wins the election, they will make history as the first elected female premier in Victoria.
Joan Kirner was the first female premier of Victoria, but took leadership in 1990 after John Cain resigned and served until the 1992 elections.
It is understood work will be underway in the coming weeks on how they can prosecute the state Labor government on the debt issue and hold it to account.
Last night, former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett backed Ms Wilson taking the top job, saying she was a “very good choice”.
But he warned that she must win over Liberal Party rank-and-file members or risk her leadership and handing Labor a fourth term.
“It has been a generational change today both for the Liberal Party and for the state and I think it bodes well for her and the party with one important caveat,” he said.
“Liberal Party members (must) combine and get behind her 100 per cent … if it doesn’t happen then quite obviously there is a risk that the Labor government would be returned.”
Mr Kennett encouraged Victorians to see Ms Wilson, a “fresh face, a female by chance and a representative of the younger generation”.
He also noted that her profile in affluent eastern suburbs seat of Kew, could starve off a potential Teal wave.
Ms Wilson, a former executive director at the Business Council of Australia, lawyer and new mum to 15-month old Patrick, said her win was a “line in the sand moment” for the party.
Ms Wilson’s rise came as new polling revealed by the Herald Sun on Tuesday showed Mr Battin was in an election-winning position, for the first time in months, with his messaging – centred around crime – making him personally popular with voters.
But the poll did little to save Mr Battin from being overthrown, with colleagues worried the state’s new youth justice overhaul, announced last week, meant crime was no longer a difference between the parties.
On Tuesday, Ms Wilson – a moderate – said the party was now united behind her.
MPs from across factional lines backed this, telling the Herald Sun that with conservative Bev McArthur becoming upper house leader, factional infighting was quelled.
Mrs McArthur gave he newest party leader a glowing endorsement.
“I’m very, very proud to be serving under Jess’ leadership,” she said.
“You won’t be standing here interviewing the Leader of the Opposition in 12 months’ time, you’ll be interviewing the Premier of Victoria and it will be Jess Wilson.”
Among the first to congratulate Ms Wilson was her former boss, ex-federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who said the 35-year-old “has what it takes” to be Premier.
“I have seen first-hand her ability to get across complex policy and to communicate ideas effectively and with empathy,” he said.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Sally Curtain welcomed Ms Wilson’s focus on “issues that matter to Victorian businesses”.
Constituent and owner of food charity It’s the Little Things Jane Stewart said unlike other politicians Ms Wilson “actually looks at you and talks to you”.
Ms Wilson’s win sets up an unprecedented 2026 election campaign, with two women going head to head.
Premier Jacinta Allan, however, said a change in leadership for the “bitter” Liberal Party doesn’t concern her in her bid to be re-elected next year.
“No matter who leads the Liberal Party, they’re still a Liberal who only knows one way and that is to cut,” she said.
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Originally published as New Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson promises to ‘fix’ Allan Labor government’s ballooning debt
