Overview
- Hamer won a contested preselection over Jacqueline Blackwell, Xavier Boffa and Lana Collaris at a Caulfield Racecourse meeting.
- Former premier Jeff Kennett endorsed Hamer, while former treasurer Josh Frydenberg backed Blackwell.
- About 200 Liberal members attended the vote to replace retiring Malvern MP and former leader Michael O’Brien in a seat that has been safely Liberal since 1945.
- The opposition said Hamer is the first candidate selected for Jess Wilson’s team for the 2026 Victorian election.
- Hamer, who narrowly lost Kooyong to Monique Ryan earlier this year, pledged to tackle rising crime, ease cost pressures and support local business after scrutiny of renter claims during that campaign.