A woman has taken the reins of an embattled state Liberal division for the first time after her backers knifed the leader in a swift coup.

With just over 12 months until the Victorian election, Opposition Leader Brad Battin lost the top job to Kew MP Jess Wilson on Tuesday morning after a successful spill.

The 35-year-old is the state party's third leader in 11 months after John Pesutto was dumped and replaced by Mr Battin in late December.

The Victorian branch of the Liberals has never had a woman at the helm in its 81-year history.

Mr Battin was visited on Monday afternoon by a delegation of Liberal MPs who told him he had lost party room support, with others then calling him to deliver the same message.

Mr Battin did not nominate after losing the spill motion, paving the way for Ms

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