YIMBY Melbourne congratulates Jess Wilson on becoming the youngest Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party in recent history. As the first Millennial to lead a major Victorian political party, we trust that Wilson will pursue an agenda that works for, not against, younger Victorians.
And any serious agenda for young people includes an ambitious pro-housing stance. And that means planning reform that puts young people first must be on the cards.
Jess Wilson has the opportunity to join the growing ranks of centre-right politicians in pursuing an ambitious pro-housing stance for the next generation. From fellow travellers Andrew Bragg and the NSW Liberals, to Chris Bishop in New Zealand, centre-right parties are increasingly waking up to the scale of the housing crisis facing young people, and are calling for more housing to be built in the places where young people most want to live.
YIMBY Melbourne is encouraged by the explicit priority Wilson has outlined in her press conference this morning: “To give every Victorian the best opportunity to own their own home in this state.”
We are also encouraged by the views on housing affordability and home ownership Wilson outlined in her first speech:
“On housing affordability, it is concerning that the rate of home ownership has been in decline for decades, especially amongst younger Victorians… I also know the challenges that industry faces with rising costs, supply shortages and planning delays. A principles-based approach is sorely needed, prioritising home ownership, choice, tax reform and sensible planning reform to unlock supply.”
The Business Council of Australia, where Wilson was formerly the Executive Director of Policy, has rightly pointed out that Victoria’s outdated and labyrinthine planning regulations are holding back investment and productivity growth.
The Council’s recent Regulation Rumble 2025 placed Victoria behind other states in efficiency, consistency, certainty, and transparency in our planning system.
The Business Council’s October 2024 report It’s time to say yes to housing explicitly recommends that states “should undertake a program of rezonings across major cities and towns and focus on allowing medium and high-density development in the vicinity of infrastructure and services.”
YIMBY Melbourne calls on the new Liberal team to put forward and support an ambitious platform of planning reform to unlock more housing supply for all Victorians.
The Planning Amendment Bill before the Parliament provides a test for the new Liberal team to prove they are serious about cutting red tape and boosting supply.
The Bill enjoys widespread support from industry, with endorsements from the Property Council of Australia, Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Victoria, and the Urban Development Institute of Australia. These groups have been vocal in calling for the cutting of red tape that this Bill will deliver.
The Property Council stated that "this package represents meaningful commonsense progress" and that "streamlining assessment processes and aligning third-party appeal rights with other states will help reduce red tape, improve efficiency, and restore confidence in our planning framework."
In particular, industry has welcomed the Bill's reform to Victoria's unnecessarily expansive notice requirements, which will bring Victoria into line with other Australian states.
YIMBY Melbourne calls on the new Liberal leadership team to show they are serious about cutting the red tape holding back housing supply, and back this Bill.
“Jess Wilson has the opportunity to show that the Liberal Party is serious about increasing the opportunities for the next generation to own their own home. All the evidence shows that this means backing ambitious, pro-housing planning reform.”
“The Planning Amendment Bill currently before the Parliament is a test for whether or not the new Liberal team is serious about cutting red tape and unlocking housing opportunities for young Victorians.”