Legislative Assembly · District of Brighton
James Newbury
Last verified 25 Aug 2026
Seat context — Brighton›
The Electoral District of Brighton covers about 20 square kilometres of Melbourne's south-eastern bayside suburbs, including Brighton and Elwood plus parts of Brighton East and Hampton. It is one of only three Victorian electorates to have existed continuously since the colony's original 1856 electorates. Liberal MP James Newbury has held the seat since the 2018 election; at the 2022 election he was returned with a two-party-preferred margin of 55.1% to 44.9% over Labor.
Background
Member for Brighton in the Legislative Assembly since 2018; as of the Wilson shadow ministry (from 18 November 2025), Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Special Minister of State and Shadow Minister for Equality. VVerified — PARL-JNParliament of Victoria, "James Newbury - Member profile"View source
Before entering Parliament he worked in the financial services industry as a Group Company Secretary, after earlier working at senior levels in state and federal government. VVerified — PARL-JNParliament of Victoria, "James Newbury - Member profile"View source
Names the specific private-sector role as Group Company Secretary at the Australian Retail Credit Association, the peak body for credit reporting organisations. SSelf-stated — SITE-ABOUTJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
Before that, worked in Canberra during the Howard Government as a Liberal staffer, including as parliamentary adviser to federal ministers Christopher Pyne and Joe Hockey and in staff roles for Senator Richard Alston, Tony Abbott and Senator Mitch Fifield. SSelf-stated — WP-JN, SITE-ABOUTWikipedia, "James Newbury"View sourceJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
Then as Senior Adviser to Victorian Premier Denis Napthine (2013–2014) before moving to the private sector. SSelf-stated — WP-JN, SITE-ABOUTWikipedia, "James Newbury"View sourceJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
Also describes himself as an admitted lawyer in Australia; no independent confirmation via a legal practitioner register was located in this research pass. SSelf-stated — SITE-ABOUTJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
No local council, union, or formal party administrative office held before entering Parliament — his pre-2018 public-facing work was exclusively as a Liberal political staffer/adviser (see occupation above), not elected or appointed public office. VVerified — WP-JN, PARL-JNWikipedia, "James Newbury"View sourceParliament of Victoria, "James Newbury - Member profile"View source
Joined the Liberal Party in 1999 and won Liberal preselection for the safe seat of Brighton in 2016, following the retirement of long-serving sitting MP Louise Asher. SSelf-stated — SITE-ABOUTJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
Grew up in Malvern East, a different part of Melbourne; moved to Brighton with his wife Suzanne after the 2013 election of the Abbott Government to start their family. SSelf-stated — SITE-1ST, SITE-ABOUTJames Newbury MP, "James' First Speech"View sourceJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
States the couple settled 'near Church Street in the heart of' the Brighton electorate and now live 'in the centre of the Brighton Electorate' with their two young daughters — roughly 13 years' local residency by the 2026 election. SSelf-stated — SITE-1ST, SITE-ABOUTJames Newbury MP, "James' First Speech"View sourceJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
His wife Suzanne's family migrated to Australia from Ecuador; his father was a dentist for whom Newbury did bookwork during high school. SSelf-stated — SITE-1STJames Newbury MP, "James' First Speech"View source
Platform
Where they stand, issue by issue — grounded in 2026 Victorian polling, not assumed. Every position is tagged with how we know it.
Four stated priorities on his campaign site: 'Backing Our Community' (devolving decisions to the local community, on the basis that 'we know our community best'); 'Our Fair Share' (a fair share of services and infrastructure funding, including school facilities).
'Preserving Our Environment' (protecting Bayside's 'unique natural environment' for future generations); and 'Stopping Inappropriate Development' (opposing what he characterises as targeted high-density development in Hampton and Elwood, framed as preserving each suburb's 'village feel').
What Victorians say matters most
5 poll-led issuesCost of living and crime have ranked 1st or 2nd in every Victorian poll since mid‑2025, with debt and housing close behind — see schema §3 for the polling this grouping is based on (DemosAU, Ipsos Issues Monitor, Roy Morgan). The 0-10 'priorityScore' on each candidate's issue entries is NOT a measure of true importance or an independent ranking of what a candidate actually cares about. It reflects how much detail and specificity exists in what that candidate has actually said publicly on that issue -- a named policy mechanism and a verified voting record score higher than a one-line stated priority, regardless of the issue's real-world weight. Render this distinction in the UI wherever the score appears; do not label it just 'Priority' without the qualifier.
Cost of living
In his May 2025 Budget Reply — delivered as Manager of Opposition Business — described Victoria as having become 'the highest taxed state with the biggest level of debt.'
Announced the Coalition's 'Go for growth' economic plan, including a pledge to legislate a Charter of Budget Honesty and a cap on future government spending growth.
His site's fuller reproduction of the same speech adds a pledge to scrap the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy — calling it a 'sneaky new tax' and citing a CFA volunteer captain's account of members going offline over it.
Commits to returning '$3 billion back into Victorians' pockets' via tax cuts.
Crime and community safety
In a Legislative Assembly adjournment debate (6 March 2024), cited a 43% year-on-year rise in aggravated burglary in Bayside (183 cases in 2023 versus 128 in 2022) against a 33% statewide rise.
Said Victoria Police numbers had fallen amid roughly 1,000 vacant positions statewide, and said Bayside's only police station was among 43 facing partial closure; called on the government to apologise.
In an April 2026 joint statement with then-Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, backed a Liberal-Nationals policy to expand 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' sentencing to 12 further offences including burglary, serious assault and attempted murder; move bail applications for those offences to the County Court.
Introduce a 'one-strike' bail-denial rule for repeat offending on bail; upgrade bail breaches to a Schedule 2 offence including for young offenders; and fund 3,000 more police and 200 additional Public Safety Officers.
As Shadow Attorney-General, separately proposed (22 May 2026) extending the 'Adult Time for Violent Crime' sentencing regime beyond its then-five offences to include arson and firebombing.
Alongside burglary, serious assault, manslaughter, rape, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, drug trafficking and child exploitation.
Housing affordability and supply
Opposes the state government's plan to grow greater Melbourne toward 9–10 million people by 2050 without what he calls an electoral mandate.
Specifically opposes '20-storey towers in suburbs' — 'if you vote Labor... you get 20-storey towers and if you vote Liberal... they will be ripped up' (18 March 2026 motion debate).
Alleged (4 June 2026) a government plan to expand the zone allowing high-rise development near train stations from 60 to 210 locations statewide, describing it as a 'secret tower plan' and pledging a Coalition government would reverse it.
State government debt and fiscal management
Same May 2025 Budget Reply: described Victoria's net debt as trending toward roughly $194 billion by 2028–29 (about $6.7 billion above the prior year's forecast) and total expense growth as blowing out by $8.2 billion against a forecast 0.2% increase.
His site's fuller reproduction of the speech additionally puts interest on state debt at 'reaching $1.2 million per hour,' around 10% of the entire budget, and cites Moody's calling for improved budget transparency.
Infrastructure and public transport delivery
Opposed the removal of car parks at Middle Brighton and North Brighton train stations without a stated alternative, saying it was announced without prior community consultation.
Raised (18 June 2026) resurfacing works on Ludstone Street, roughly five metres from classrooms at Hampton Primary School, after parents reported children experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea and coughing consistent with chemical fume exposure, and called for urgent government action.
Also on the record
6 substance issuesThese don't top “biggest issue” polling, but carry real 2026 policy weight and genuine differences between parties.
Education and training
Raised (5 May 2026) termite damage to Brighton Primary School's junior building floor and roof reported a year earlier.
Saying only two of the affected floors had been replaced after a six-month delay and that the bathroom block remained without a floor or roof, with toilets left 'piled against a wall.'
In a December 2022 joint statement with then-Shadow Education Minister Brad Rowswell, pledged that a Coalition government would give Brighton Primary School $9 million toward a masterplan, a multipurpose library, and STEM/arts facilities.
And replace 1970s demountable classrooms sited beside a rail line — the school's last major infrastructure investment, per the statement, having been roughly 50 years earlier.
This is a 2022 commitment; no more recent restatement of the specific dollar figure was found.
Health and healthcare access
Not detailed in sources reviewed.
Urban planning and housing density
Called the original Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025 'an utter disgrace' (13 November 2025).
On the bill's Council Amendments (3 February 2026), said the government had given an 'ironclad commitment' that the amendments would not be dealt with that evening and broke it, characterising the process as centralising planning power away from the community.
Supported converting the former Elsternwick Park golf course site into what is now the Yalukit William Nature Reserve — a position Bayside Council and the state Labor government had opposed at the time.
Pledged (5 May 2026): 'If there was ever a plan to remove the [Reserve] Association, I would personally be at the front of every protest opposing it.'
Climate and energy transition
In a Matter of Public Importance contribution on energy security (18 December 2022), called Victoria's energy system 'on life support' and argued the government should champion hydrogen investment specifically, citing a potential '$1.7 billion and 2,800 jobs by 2030'.
Also pointed to transmission-network capacity as a barrier facing renewable-energy investors.
This is the only substantive Newbury statement found on this issue and predates the current shadow ministry; no more recent (2025–2026) restatement was found, including no position located on the reinstated State Electricity Commission or offshore wind specifically.
Treaty and First Nations affairs
On a 2 April 2026 motion regarding Standing Order changes for treaty-related compatibility statements, said the Liberal-Nationals 'have not supported treaty, and we have committed to repeal it.'
Argued that consulting First Peoples in advance of legislation 'by definition creates inequality' between parliamentarians, and criticised the process as bypassing the Standing Orders Committee and timed around budget day.
Regional and rural Victoria
Not detailed in sources reviewed.
Local & party context
2 fieldsNot scored the way the eleven issues above are — these are fixed facts about the seat and the party, not positions with more or less emphasis behind them.
Raised safety concerns (constituency question) at the 152-unit Halcyon Walk HousingFirst social-housing development at 15 Centre Road, Brighton East, citing specific incidents including antisemitic harassment and an assault, and asked the Premier when the site would be made safe. SSelf-stated — SITE-HALCYONJames Newbury MP, "Constituency Question - Halcyon Walk HousingFirst"View source
Objected to the planning-approval process for a Brighton Grammar sports hall on Young Street, Brighton (3 March 2026), saying it excluded objections from elderly neighbours unable to lodge them online, and pledged a Coalition government would 'restore community rights in planning decisions.' SSelf-stated — SITE-YOUNGSTJames Newbury MP, "Constituency Question - Young Street, Brighton, Development" (3 Mar 2026)View source
Bayside recorded a steeper rise in aggravated burglary (43%) than the statewide figure (33%) in 2023 — the local evidentiary basis underlying his broader crime-safety platform. VVerified — HANSARD-CRIME24Parliament of Victoria, "Brighton electorate crime - Adjournment - Legislative Assembly Hansard, 6 March 2024" (6 Mar 2024)View source
The Brighton electorate spans two local government areas — Bayside City Council for most of the seat and Port Phillip City Council for Elwood.
His positions closely track the Victorian Liberal Party's 'A Fresh Start' platform, which leads with cost-of-living relief and cites a '20-year high' in crime, 43 police stations facing closure or reduced hours, and nearly 2,000 police vacancies. SSelf-stated — LIB-FRESHSTARTVictorian Liberal Party, "A Fresh Start - Our Priorities for Victoria's Future"View source
The same statewide framing he applies locally to Bayside's burglary and policing figures. SSelf-stated — LIB-FRESHSTARTVictorian Liberal Party, "A Fresh Start - Our Priorities for Victoria's Future"View source
On housing, the party's own stated approach under then-Opposition Leader Jess Wilson emphasised affordability — 'over 40% of the cost of a new home is taxes, fees and charges'. RReported — ABC-WILSON-HOUSINGABC News, "Jess Wilson on housing affordability and home ownership" (23 Nov 2025)View source
While Newbury's own public housing commentary is concentrated almost entirely on opposing local density and tower developments. RReported — ABC-WILSON-HOUSINGABC News, "Jess Wilson on housing affordability and home ownership" (23 Nov 2025)View source
No affordability or supply-side proposal in his own name was found. RReported — ABC-WILSON-HOUSINGABC News, "Jess Wilson on housing affordability and home ownership" (23 Nov 2025)View source
This looks like a difference of local emphasis rather than a stated disagreement with the party line — no instance was found of him publicly breaking with Liberal policy on any of the 11 issues. RReported — ABC-WILSON-HOUSINGABC News, "Jess Wilson on housing affordability and home ownership" (23 Nov 2025)View source
Track record & prior candidacies
First elected to the Legislative Assembly seat of Brighton on 24 November 2018 (51.12% to 48.88% two-party-preferred over Labor's Declan Martin, on an 8.66-point swing against the Liberal Party). VVerified — WP-ELECT, PARL-JNWikipedia, "Electoral results for the district of Brighton"View sourceParliament of Victoria, "James Newbury - Member profile"View source
Re-elected 24 November 2022 with a 55.1%–44.9% two-party-preferred margin over Labor's Louise Crawford, also defeating independent Felicity Frederico (9.1% primary vote). No local council or federal parliamentary term held before or since. VVerified — WP-ELECT, PARL-JNWikipedia, "Electoral results for the district of Brighton"View sourceParliament of Victoria, "James Newbury - Member profile"View source
Currently (Wilson shadow ministry, from 18 November 2025): Manager of Opposition Business, Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Special Minister of State and Shadow Minister for Equality. VVerified — PARL-JNParliament of Victoria, "James Newbury - Member profile"View source
Held Shadow Treasurer (with Shadow Minister for Equality) from January to October 2025 under Brad Battin. VVerified — ABC-RESHUFFLE-OCT25, ABC-WILSON-LEAD-NOV25ABC News, "Victorian opposition leader launches fresh shadow cabinet ahead of state election next year" (11 Oct 2025)View sourceABC News, "Victorian Liberal MPs choose Jess Wilson as new opposition leader" (18 Nov 2025)View source
Lost the Treasury portfolio to Jess Wilson in the October 2025 reshuffle, becoming Shadow Attorney-General following Michael O'Brien's retirement from the front bench. VVerified — ABC-RESHUFFLE-OCT25, ABC-WILSON-LEAD-NOV25ABC News, "Victorian opposition leader launches fresh shadow cabinet ahead of state election next year" (11 Oct 2025)View sourceABC News, "Victorian Liberal MPs choose Jess Wilson as new opposition leader" (18 Nov 2025)View source
Kept Attorney-General and Special Minister of State when Wilson replaced Battin as leader after a 19–13 party-room spill on 18 November 2025. VVerified — ABC-RESHUFFLE-OCT25, ABC-WILSON-LEAD-NOV25ABC News, "Victorian opposition leader launches fresh shadow cabinet ahead of state election next year" (11 Oct 2025)View sourceABC News, "Victorian Liberal MPs choose Jess Wilson as new opposition leader" (18 Nov 2025)View source
Earlier shadow roles: under Michael O'Brien (from December 2018), junior shadow roles including Shadow Assistant Minister for Wastewatch and Freedom of Information, adding Scrutiny of Government from March 2021. RReported — OBRIEN-SHADOWCAB, WP-GUY2-SHADOWMichael O'Brien MP, "Liberal Nationals Shadow Cabinet" (21 Mar 2021)View sourceWikipedia, "Second Guy shadow ministry"View source
Under Matthew Guy's second opposition (September 2021 – December 2022), Shadow Special Minister of State, Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Economic Development and (from February 2022) Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change and Shadow Minister for Bay Protection. RReported — OBRIEN-SHADOWCAB, WP-GUY2-SHADOWMichael O'Brien MP, "Liberal Nationals Shadow Cabinet" (21 Mar 2021)View sourceWikipedia, "Second Guy shadow ministry"View source
Under John Pesutto (December 2022 – January 2025), Manager of Opposition Business and Shadow Minister for Equality and Environment and Climate Change. RReported — OBRIEN-SHADOWCAB, WP-GUY2-SHADOWMichael O'Brien MP, "Liberal Nationals Shadow Cabinet" (21 Mar 2021)View sourceWikipedia, "Second Guy shadow ministry"View source
Also reported to have held committee roles including Deputy Chair of the Legal and Social Issues Committee (2019–2021), member of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (2021–2022), and member then Deputy Chair of the Privileges Committee (from February 2023, Deputy Chair from September 2025). RReported — WP-JNWikipedia, "James Newbury"View source
These dates come from a secondary compilation and were not independently confirmed against Parliament of Victoria's own committee-history page in this research pass, which did not render its committee-history content on an automated fetch attempt. RReported — WP-JNWikipedia, "James Newbury"View source
As the complainant, triggered a Legislative Assembly Privileges Committee inquiry into fellow Liberal MP Louise Carrigg's attempt to serve defamation-related legal papers on then-Liberal leader John Pesutto within the parliamentary precinct in March 2024. VVerified — PARLIAMENT-PRIVCOMM, CANBERRA-TIMES-CARRIGGParliament of Victoria, Legislative Assembly Privileges Committee, "Complaint by the Member for Brighton"View sourceThe Canberra Times (Australian Community Media), "Legal documents 'stunt' on Liberal leader earns apology"View source
The Committee found this constituted a contempt of Parliament, Carrigg apologised in writing on 10 October 2024, and the Committee's November 2024 report recommended no further action given the apology. VVerified — PARLIAMENT-PRIVCOMM, CANBERRA-TIMES-CARRIGGParliament of Victoria, Legislative Assembly Privileges Committee, "Complaint by the Member for Brighton"View sourceThe Canberra Times (Australian Community Media), "Legal documents 'stunt' on Liberal leader earns apology"View source
Was one of five Liberal MPs (with Matthew Guy, Cindy McLeish, Roma Britnell and Wayne Farnham) who brought the May 2023 party-room motion to expel Moira Deeming from the parliamentary Liberal party room, which passed 19–11. RReported — ABC-DEEMING-EXPELABC News, "Victorian Liberal MPs vote to expel Moira Deeming after stoush with leader John Pesutto" (12 May 2023)View source
Reported to have been a key supporter of Brad Battin's successful December 2024 party-room challenge to then-leader John Pesutto. RReported — ABC-RESHUFFLE-OCT25ABC News, "Victorian opposition leader launches fresh shadow cabinet ahead of state election next year" (11 Oct 2025)View source
No previous candidacies for elected office at any level (state, federal or local government) before winning Liberal preselection for Brighton in 2016 and being elected at the November 2018 state election. VVerified — WP-JN, SITE-ABOUTWikipedia, "James Newbury"View sourceJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
His only pre-2018 political activity on the public record is party preselection and staffer roles, not a prior contested election. VVerified — WP-JN, SITE-ABOUTWikipedia, "James Newbury"View sourceJames Newbury MP, "About James Newbury"View source
Campaign, money & endorsements
Campaign logistics
Endorsements & Donations
Eligible if he receives at least 4% of first-preference votes in Brighton, or is elected.
Public funding is then calculated against his audited campaign-expenditure statement and vote count, capped at the lesser of actual expenditure and the legislated per-vote maximum, which is $7.70 per Legislative Assembly first-preference vote effective from 1 July 2026 (per the Victorian Electoral Commission's own funding and indexation guidance, accessed 25 August 2026).