Everything to know about Victoria's first female Liberal Leader Jess Wilson

Kew MP Jess Wilson is Victoria's new opposition leader, in an historic day for the Liberal Party.

Wilson was this morning announced as victor of a leadership spill that saw Brad Battin concede his role after less than 11 months.

The millennial moderate mother is the first female to lead the party in its 71-year history.

Here's everything to know about the new Victorian Liberal Party leader.

READ MORE: Brad Battin ousted as Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson becomes state's first female Liberal leader

What is Jess Wilson's background?

Wilson, 35, was elected to parliament after winning the blue-ribbon seat of Kew, in Melbourne's east, at the 2022 election.

She was immediately put on the front bench where she was given a broad portfolio of shadow ministries including finance, home ownership and economic growth.

Wilson was most recently announced as shadow treasurer last month.

Born in 1990, she is the daughter of state Liberal MP Ron Wilson and grew up in Mont Albert in Melbourne's east.

Wilson joined the Liberal Club at Monash University where she studied law.

She later became state president of the Young Liberal, before former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg took her on as a senior advisor.

Wilson started her professional career as a consultant at KPMG and more recently led public policy development and strategy at the Business Council of Australia.

She also had a senior role at the Business Council of Australia.

Last year Wilson became a mother when she and husband Aaron Lane welcomed a son, Patrick, now 15 months old.

What are Jess Wilson's top priorities?

Fronting media after she was appointed leader this morning, Wilson named housing affordability, state debt, the ongoing crime crisis and healthcare as her top priorities.

"My message to the Victorians is that I'm in your corner," Wilson said.

Wilson has described herself as a 'small L liberal' and many of her beliefs are moderate.

Wilson has publicly advocated for net-zero emissions.

She's also revealed she voted for marriage equality and is pro-choice on abortion.

The 35-year-old was also the only Victorian Liberal who campaigned for the "yes" vote in the Indigenous Voice to parliament.

She has however been vocal in her objection to Victoria's first treaty with First Nations people, which was passed by parliament late last month.

"I've been very very clear about my opposition to the treaty and in my view it does go far wider in scope than the Voice did," Wilson told 9News Melbourne.

"Our commitment is to repeal that and to do that within the first 100 days of parliament."

Why did the Victorian Liberals change leaders?

It was just yesterday that Battin was first informed by a delegation of party members that his position was at risk.

A group of senior liberals approached the Berwick MP to inform him they had lost confidence in his leadership, while others contacted him by phone.

Just after 9am today, Wilson was elected unopposed after Battin lost a spill motion 19 votes to 13.

Speaking to 9News Melbourne, Wilson conceded Battin was "doing nothing wrong" but said the party needed a "new direction".

"The reality is we have to put our best foot forward and what I can offer the partyroom is the ability to talk about the litany of issues that are facing Victorians," Wilson said.

Earlier today, Wilson said "a new generational liberal team" would provide Victorians with hope for the future.

Who is the new Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal party?

Former tennis ace Sam Groth will remain the deputy leader of the Liberal Party.

Wilson also confirmed outgoing opposition leader Battin would have a role in the shadow ministry going forward.

She described Battin as a "tireless supporter and worker for the Liberals".

A cabinet reshuffle is expected in the coming weeks.

What does this mean for the 2026 state election?

Wilson is the third leader of the Victorian Liberal Party in 12 months, signalling a period of unease for the party and its politics.

If she and Jacinta Allan remain leaders for the next 12 months, next November's state election will mark the first time in history a female premier is elected to Victorian parliament.