Wilson’s ‘Jess Express’ campaign bus crashes into small business

November 6, 2026 — 1:17pm

The Victorian Liberal Party has had some early trouble on the first day aboard its campaign bus, which reversed into the awning of a small business and damaged the exterior.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson spent the morning at a cafe in Bentleigh, in Melbourne’s south-east, where the owner has been struggling with the cost of living and running his business.

But as the big blue campaign bus – which has been dubbed the “Jess Express” – reversed into a park in the main shopping strip, it collided with the awning of a local jeweller, peeling metal off the outside.

It was an awkward moment, and took media attention away from a planned photo op, but the Liberal Party quickly contacted the business and promised to pay for the repairs.

Angus Delaney is a state political reporter at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.

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