Victoria is heading toward a history-making state election in 2026, with a woman who represents generational change for the Liberals taking on a long underestimated Labor political operative.

New Opposition Leader Jess Wilson – the first woman to lead the Victorian Liberals – would be state’s youngest premier in over a century if elected next November.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson (left) and Premier Jacinta Allan shake hands in parliament on Tuesday. Credit: Jason South

A victory for Premier Jacinta Allan will hand her a mandate and prove she is more than just a custodian of the Daniel Andrews era.

Regardless, the state will have its first popularly elected female premier.

But these historic milestones mask a far more consequential race about how the two major parties positio

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