After a period of reflection, I have decided not to contest the 2026 Victorian election.
I will leave the Parliament of Victoria at that time, having served 20 years as the Member for Malvern.
When I gave my maiden speech back in 2006, my daughter was a toddler and my son was a baby in his mum’s arms.
Today, they are university students making their way in the world. It is a measure of how much time has passed and why it is now the right time for me to pass the baton.
I leave with deep gratitude to the people of the Malvern electorate who have entrusted me to represent them at five successive elections.
Serving them as the Member for Malvern in the Parliament of Victoria has been the greatest honour of my professional life.
Not a day of their trust has been taken for granted and I hope they know that I have always worked diligently for them and will continue to do so.
Being a Member of Parliament is a relentless occupation. While I continue to relish the challenge it provides, it is time to provide that challenge to another and for me to pursue new opportunities.
It is also an opportunity for the Liberal Party to renew; to choose a new candidate to represent the wonderful Malvern community and strongly advocate for Liberal values.
My family has been an incredible support to me throughout my parliamentary service. Words are inadequate to express the love and gratitude I have for them all. They have shared the highs and lows and been there for me no matter what.
I thank the members of the Malvern Liberals and the wider Liberal Party who have supported me over the past 20 years. They preselected me, campaigned for me, celebrated and commiserated with me. I am proud that I count many as great personal friends and I hope that my service and contribution has repaid the faith they placed in me.
While the Liberal Party rightly celebrates the individual, politics is a team sport. I thank my Liberal parliamentary colleagues, past and present, for their friendship, support and collegiality. I will always be grateful for the honour they gave me to lead them as Leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition. Despite trying times (including the pandemic) we released policies of substance and saw support for the Liberal Party significantly rise during my leadership.
I particularly thank former Premiers Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine who gave me the opportunity to serve Victorians as Minister for Energy and Resources, Gaming and Consumer Affairs and as Victorian Treasurer respectively. Serving in government as a Minister is one of the greatest opportunities that democratic politics can provide. Leaving each portfolio in a better state than you find it – improving the lives of millions of Victorians – is the essence of what politics should be about.
As Treasurer, I’m pleased to have left a strong economic legacy for Victoria: budget surpluses, low debt, the best credit rating in the country and more jobs created than any other state.
I thank my colleagues in the Nationals and the strong working relationship I have enjoyed with them.
Any MP knows that having excellent staff is crucial to achieving outcomes. Whether in my electorate office, Ministerial office or Opposition Leader’s office, I have been blessed by having outstanding women and men working with me who helped me to get things done on behalf of the community. I thank each of them for their contributions. Whatever I may have achieved over 20 years, my staff share in that. And they know how to draft a MOB-approved letter!
I also thank my personal friends who kept me grounded, kept me smiling and gave me hope during the ups and downs.
Finally, I wish Opposition Leader Brad Battin, Nationals Leader Danny O’Brien and the Liberal Nationals team the very best for the next election. Victoria desperately needs a new direction, fresh leadership and a responsible government.
They will continue to have my strong support.
The Hon. Michael O’Brien MP
9 September 2025