Victorian Political Drama: Opposition Leader John Pesutto Apologizes to Moira Deeming and Initiates New Vote

Just days after stating the matter was resolved, Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto has convened a meeting to explore the possibility of reinstating exiled MP Moira Deeming to the Parliamentary Liberal Party.

P24 News Media

December 22, 2024

1 minute

Victorian Political Drama: Opposition Leader John Pesutto Apologizes to Moira Deeming and Initiates New Vote

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Just two days after stating that the matter was resolved, Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto has convened a meeting to deliberate on the potential readmission of ousted MP Moira Deeming into the Parliamentary Liberal Party. In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Pesutto announced, "I have called a special Liberal Party Room meeting for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. to discuss and vote on a motion that I have moved to readmit Mrs. Moira Deeming to the Parliamentary Liberal Party."

Following a recent gathering, he remarked, "It has become evident that a clear majority of my colleagues are in favor of resolving this situation by allowing her back into the party. This would enable us to collectively move forward and focus on the upcoming by-elections in Prahran and Werribee, as well as holding the Allan Labor Government accountable." He reiterated his apology to Mrs. Deeming, expressing that everyone is working together to ensure the Liberal Party's success in the pursuit of government in November 2026.

In a prior media session, Mr. Pesutto defended his position as opposition leader after the crucial vote. During a press conference on Friday, immediately after a split vote regarding Ms. Deeming's return, he indicated that "today serves as a conclusion to this dialogue." This latest turn of events marks a significant chapter in a prolonged narrative that recently saw Ms. Deeming win a defamation case against Mr. Pesutto.

Earlier this month, she accused him of defaming her by labeling her a Nazi sympathizer in the aftermath of an anti-trans-rights rally that took place on the steps of the Victorian parliament last year, an event that saw interference from neo-Nazi groups. After the controversial rally, Mr. Pesutto made an unsuccessful attempt to have Ms. Deeming expelled from the parliamentary Liberal Party, which resulted in her suspension for a period of nine months instead.

Ultimately, she was expelled from the parliamentary party in May of the previous year, following her threat of legal action against Mr. Pesutto. However, she retained her membership within the broader Liberal Party. A ruling from Federal Court judge David O'Callaghan confirmed that the opposition leader had defamed Ms. Deeming multiple times, particularly through statements made during radio and television interviews, which were deemed likely to cause significant harm to her reputation.

In response to this latest development, Ms. Deeming stated that she learned about the situation through the media rather than receiving any personal communication from Mr. Pesutto. When questioned by a journalist regarding whether he felt remorse for defaming her, Mr. Pesutto replied, "I would convey to my party room and Mrs. Deeming that I regret the court's findings, but it is crucial to move forward." While he expressed his willingness to consider a personal apology, he admitted that such a step had not yet been taken.

He stated, "I’m not inclined to establish a specific timeline for these matters," adding, "Naturally, I will look into that, which would involve engaging in discussions on how this might be achieved." The ongoing fluctuations in this saga highlight the complexities surrounding party dynamics and personal relationships within the political landscape, especially as both parties gear up for future electoral challenges.