Council
20 November, 2025
Britnell welcomes new Liberal leader
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell has praised the “historic” appointment of Jess Wilson as the Victorian Liberals’ new party leader.
Ms Wilson was voted as party leader on Tuesday, November 18 following weeks of speculation former leader Brad Battin would be ousted.
Speaking with Western District Newspapers, Ms Britnell welcomed the decision as Ms Wilson becomes the party’s first female leader.
“This is a historic moment for our party to elect a female leader, and I’m thrilled to see Jess step into this role,” she said.
“Her intelligence, determination and proven leadership give me great confidence that she will lead us to success in next year’s election.
“Jess has been unwavering in exposing the government’s failures in economic management, and she is committed to restoring prosperity to our state.
“Like many of us, she balances the demands of motherhood and career, while remaining deeply attuned to the challenges young families face.”
Ms Wilson in March 2024 visited the south west in her duties as Shadow Minister for Education at the invitation of Ms Britnell, which included a visit to Terang College to learn more about the challenges regional schools face.
Ms Britnell said she was “absolutely” confident Ms Wilsons’ leadership would heighten the party’s chances heading into the 2026 Victorian election.
“Her vision is clear – restoring economic prosperity through a responsible budget that attracts investment back to Victoria, tackling the crime crisis, ensuring health care is accessible and reigniting the ability of people to achieve home ownership,” she said.
Under Battin’s leadership, Ms Britnell had been dropped from the frontbench in a reshuffle of the shadow cabinet last month.
Ms Britnell did not specify if she would push for a return to the frontbench.
“There are many ways to contribute to the party and to the team, and I’m confident Jess will identify the best way for me to add value,” she said.
Mrs Britnell said she believed the new direction of the Liberals would resonate with Victorians in opposition to a government which she feels is out of touch.
“The Allan Labor government is tired and arrogant, relying on spin and propaganda to convince Victorians of illusions, such as their claim that our roads are magnificent, when our community can see with their own eyes that it is patently untrue,” she said.
“The reality is clear – Labor’s debt will weigh us down for decades, and too many families struggle under the Labor high taxing regime, and the costs of living pressure this causes.
“Victorians do not get the services they deserve. Basic services like an ambulance arriving is not guaranteed.
“Victorians deserve better.”
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