Is that a whiff of arrogance we detect from the Liberal leader? Jeff Kennett seems to think so

October 29, 2026 — 5:00am

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It seems odd, all things considered, to have to remind the Victorian Liberal Party about the dangers of hubris.

When you haven’t governed this state for 12 years and for only four years this century, vainglory should be the least of your sins. If a generation spent in the political freezer hasn’t taught the Libs a hard lesson about humility, they are glacially slow learners.

It should be difficult to get uppity, as a Victorian Liberal, when you know that of 128 candidates running for your party in lower and upper house seats at this election, only two have ministerial experience.

David Davis and Matthew Guy will no doubt be generous with their mentorship if and when the time comes for them to show frontbench colleagues the ropes. Until then, let’s take the party pride down a notch.

On November 5, one week from today, the Nine Network will host a leaders’ debate. So far, Premier Ben Carroll has confirmed his attendance, as has One Nation leader Warren Pickering.

Wilson is gaining economic traction as Carroll’s popularity takes a further dive

Liberal leader Jess Wilson, the candidate who on current polling is likely to become Victoria’s next premier, is so far refusing to take part. Party representatives say she wants to be involved but not if it means sharing a stage with One Nation’s state leader.

When........

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