jess wilson’s team released a fast-cut social media video marking what would have been the opening ceremony of the regional Commonwealth Games on Tuesday, featuring current and former MPs in staged sporting scenes across Melbourne. The clip, framed as a mock-games set to the 1989 track “Pump Up the Jam, ” was written, filmed and edited by Wilson’s small social media team and used low-cost props from Kmart. It aims to note the cancelled Games and land a political message as parliament resumed.
Inside Jess Wilson’s social media offensive
The video assembles the current Victorian Liberal leader and three predecessors in a sequence of deliberately absurd events — the “running out of money relay, ” “highest taxes and debt high jump, ” “red tape hurdles, ” “policy backflips, ” “missed targets archery” and the “budget bomb. ” Participants include Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell taking a high jump, Brad Battin attempting a flip, John Pesutto throwing a discus in jeans, and Matthew Guy running with a pink baton. Regional MPs who travelled to Melbourne for parliament filmed their scenes on Monday after being invited in a group chat the previous Friday and were told to bring activewear; props were sourced from Kmart.
Video production, themes and party turnout
Wilson’s small social media team say they produced the clip to mark the opening ceremony date while being mindful voters are fatigued by the issue. The Games were cancelled in 2023 at a cost to the state approaching $600m; a parliamentary inquiry and a federal inquiry followed but neither breakthrough severely damaged political standing at the time. The cast includes newer figures such as Rachel Westaway and veteran upper-house members Bev McArthur and Renee Heath, both of whom are facing preselection challenges this month, as well as the three former leaders appearing together for the first time.
Reactions and what’s next
David Imber, communications professional, said he was “genuinely impressed” by the clip and highlighted strong opening and closing frames while noting the middle felt like a school project where everyone wanted a turn. Wilson’s small social media team say the format replicated successful Instagram reels, including one earlier clip that drew attention for its comparison of costs. The campaign has clearly prioritised a shareable, stitched-together approach rather than traditional broadcast spots.
Questions now centre on whether the social media push will translate into cohesion as the party heads into the state election race, and whether the participation of MPs under imminent preselection pressure will hold through coming weeks. Party organisers and MPs involved will likely face fresh scrutiny as preselection contests and the parliamentary calendar unfold.
Observers will watch how the clip performs on social platforms and how quickly opponents respond; jess wilson’s team has signalled this tactic is part of a broader digital playbook that could roll out further as the campaign period tightens.
