Jessica Kate Wilson (born 25 April 1990) is a Liberal Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Kew. Prior to her candidacy, Wilson was the executive director of the Business Council of Australia.[2]

Jess Wilson
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Kew
Assumed office
26 November 2022
Preceded byTim Smith
Personal details
Born (1990-04-25) 25 April 1990 (age 34)
Political partyLiberal Party
SpouseAaron Lane
Parent
Alma materMonash University
OccupationLawyer
Websitehttp://jesswilsonkew.com.au

Politics

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Prior to her candidacy for the Kew seat, Wilson worked as an adviser to former federal energy minister Josh Frydenberg and as Director at the Business Council of Australia. Additionally, she was a former president of the Victorian Young Liberals.[3]

Wilson was preselected to be Liberal candidate for the traditionally safe Liberal seat of Kew after defeating a number of pre-selection candidates including a senior Victorian Liberal figure, David Davis.[2] At the 2022 Victorian state election, she defeated teal independent Sophie Torney and Labor candidate Lucy Skelton.[4]

On 18 December 2022, Liberal Party leader John Pesutto announced that Wilson would join the opposition front bench becoming the Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Minister for Economic Reform and Regulation, and Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Housing Affordability.[5] On 2 October 2023, as part of a cabinet reshuffle, Wilson became the Shadow Minister for Early Childhood and Education in lieu of Home Ownership and Housing Affordability, retaining the Shadow Minister for Finance, and Shadow Minister for Economic Reform and Regulation portfolios.[6]

In 2023, Wilson was the only Victorian Liberal MP who publicly supported the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.[7]

Personal life

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Wilson grew up in Melbourne's inner east attending Mont Albert Primary School and Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar, and completing tertiary education at Monash University. Wilson played hockey for the Kew Box Hill Hockey Club, and barracks for the Collingwood Football Club.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Coster, Alice (5 November 2021). "The QC, the mojitos and the phantom: Inside Tim Smith's disastrous night". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Willingham, Richard (11 December 2021). "Former Liberal MP Tim Smith's replacement decided ahead of 2022 Victorian election". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  3. ^ Ilanbey, Sumeyya (7 November 2021). "Ex-Frydenberg staffer shapes as front runner to take Smith's Kew seat". The Age. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  4. ^ Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Annika, Smethurst (26 August 2022). "Shadow of drink-drive MP lingers over battle for Kew, as teals name candidate". The Age. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Victorian Liberals create justice reform and housing affordability roles in new frontbench". ABC News. 18 December 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  6. ^ Godde, Callum (2 October 2023). "Cabinet and opposition refresh after Andrews bows out". The West Australian. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ Wilson, Jess. "Meet Jess". www.jesswilsonkew.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Kew
2022–present
Incumbent