Divided Loyalties: Victorian Liberal MPs Make Controversial Call on Moira Deeming’s Future in Parliament

Moira Deeming has been denied readmission to the Victorian Liberal Party's parliamentary wing after a tied vote of 14-14, lacking the necessary 16 votes. This decision follows her recent defamation victory against party leader John Pesutto.

P24 News Media

December 20, 2024

1 minute

Divided Loyalties: Victorian Liberal MPs Make Controversial Call on Moira Deeming’s Future in Parliament

India

A significant division within the Victorian Liberal Party has become evident following a recent contentious meeting at Parliament House. During this gathering, MPs faced a narrow defeat in the vote regarding the potential readmission of ousted MP Moira Deeming into their ranks. The atmosphere in the party room was described as "sombre," with many MPs opting for silence ahead of the crucial vote.

At the heart of the meeting was party leader John Pesutto, who was still grappling with the repercussions of a recent Federal Court defamation loss. Mr. Pesutto was tasked with casting the deciding vote after the meeting ended in a 14-14 deadlock, ultimately determining the outcome of Ms. Deeming’s potential reinstatement.

Mr. Pesutto clarified that party regulations necessitated an absolute majority of 16 votes for the motion to succeed and for Ms. Deeming to rejoin the party room. He stated, "I had proposed and did use that casting vote [as leader] to vote the motion down. As it turned out, the constitutional requirement applies in any event that an absolute majority of 16 is required … it overrides everything else." In response to inquiries about whether his leadership was compromised, he asserted, "no, I don't believe so," while maintaining that the issue regarding Ms. Deeming was now resolved.

In the aftermath of the vote, Ms. Deeming expressed her profound disappointment, asserting that Mr. Pesutto allowed his personal biases to influence the voting process. She criticized him for using his casting vote to effectively double his influence in the decision against her, despite his earlier assurances. "This is despite his words last week, and despite him having a significant personal conflict of interest in the outcome today," she lamented, declaring herself a "proud Liberal Member" and vowing to return to the party room. Her pointed remarks towards Mr. Pesutto suggested a belief that his failure to acknowledge mistakes reflected poorly on his character and capability to lead the state.

The meeting exposed an underlying uncertainty regarding the party's trajectory, with several members voicing concerns about the split within their ranks. Shadow Cabinet Secretary Ann-Marie Hermans commented, "I personally don't think we have resolved it by having a close vote. Internally we will have a lot more work to do." This sentiment echoed the earlier divisions experienced when Ms. Deeming's future was last deliberated publicly.

The latest developments come in the wake of Ms. Deeming's successful defamation suit against Mr. Pesutto, where she claimed he had portrayed her as a Nazi sympathizer following her attendance at a controversial rally. Despite remaining a member of the broader Liberal Party, she was initially expelled for her actions at that event, which notably included the unwelcome presence of Neo-Nazis.

The close outcome of the vote has led to varying reactions among party members. Polwarth MP Richard Riordan expressed his astonishment, stating that the party was "in a worse position than we were to start with," indicating that the split had not been effectively addressed. On the other hand, party whip Chris Crewther acknowledged the decision while also supporting Mr. Pesutto's leadership, emphasizing the need for unity moving forward.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott did not hold back in his criticism of the situation, labeling the meeting's result as "shameful" and questioning how a member could be expelled based on "a lie" only to be denied readmission despite new truths coming to light. He expressed his dismay at the party's handling of the matter, particularly given the timing of the decision just before the holiday season, which he felt should have promoted goodwill and decency within the party's ranks.

The dynamics and future of the Victorian Liberal Party remain precarious as it navigates internal conflicts and strives to present a united front in the lead-up to upcoming by-elections, amid calls for introspection and reassessment of its core values.