A major Liberal leadership rival has been promoted in a frontbench reshuffle as a state opposition faces an uphill battle at the next election.

Victorian Liberal MP Jess Wilson was elevated the high-profile treasury portfolio in a shadow cabinet reshuffle unveiled on Saturday.

Ms Wilson, from the party's moderate wing, lost to Brad Battin in a vote to replace John Pesutto as Victorian opposition leader in late 2024.

Brighton MP James Newbury was stripped of the treasury role despite backing Mr Battin in that contest and now takes on the shadow attorney general job made vacant by former party leader Michael O'Brien.

Mr O'Brien is one of two frontbench retirements to trigger the reshuffle.

Factional tensions have rumbled through the Victorian Liberals since the 2022 state election.

Muc

See Full Page