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Opposition Leader John Pesutto says he made multiple attempts to settle with ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming before she launched defamation proceedings in the Federal Court that threaten to derail the Coalition’s attempts to present itself as a viable alternative government.
Deeming, who filed the statement of claim late on Tuesday after months of mediation failed, was expelled from the parliamentary Liberal Party in May over her role in the controversial Let Women Speak rally. She now sits on the crossbench in the upper house.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto.Credit: Penny Stephens
The rally in March was organised by British anti-trans rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull and was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis. Deeming and Minshull have said they had nothing to do with the men, who performed Nazi salutes on the steps of parliament.
Pesutto fronted journalists on Wednesday to scold the government over a newly released investigation by Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass into the politicisation of the public sector.
But Deeming’s proceedings meant he was forced to go off message and take questions on the defamation suit. He said he would not be distracted.
“I’m not focused on any of that. I’m focused on issues like the ombudsman’s report today, and cleaning up integrity,” Pesutto said.
Moira Deeming sits on the crossbench.Credit: Joe Armao
“I’m focused with my colleagues on holding this government to account over the next three years, building our own vision and case for government in 2026.”
He said he had put forward multiple proposals to settle that were not accepted by Deeming but they had constructive conversations during mediation.
“I exhausted every effort I possibly could to resolve the matter. I’ve been very reasonable in that. But if another party doesn’t want to settle, that’s a matter for them,” he said.
Three sources with knowledge of the discussion, unable to speak publicly, told The Age that Pesutto had proposed to appoint a five-person panel to consider whether Deeming deserved to be returned to the parliamentary team and make a recommendation to the party room.
Deeming, who declined to comment this week, last month said she was pursuing her “rightful restoration” to the Liberal party room.
She said it was with great regret, as a member of the broader party, that she had to turn to the courts when mediation failed. Deeming is seeking aggravated damages, alleging Pesutto’s “campaign” to expel her caused vandalism of her office, threats, harassment, contempt and ridicule, and that she had been uninvited from events.
If the matter goes to trial, Liberal MPs and staff could be forced to give evidence and hand over private correspondence in a potentially years-long humiliation.
Asked if he was willing to put the party through that into the 2026 state election campaign, Pesutto said he was defending the party.
“I’m not going to put the party through it. In fact, I’m here to defend the Liberal Party and myself in these proceedings. It’s with my lawyers. I don’t have a whole lot more to add on that,” Pesutto said.
Deeming alleges Pesutto defamed her in public statements, a motion against her, and in a dossier shared with the media by suggesting she supports, shares the views of or knowingly associates with white supremacists and neo-Nazis. Pesutto rejects that allegation.
The opposition leader initially tried to remove the first-term MP over the Let Women Speak rally, claiming she had associated with organisers and speakers who had shared platforms “with people who promote Nazi views or sympathies”. He said Deeming had failed to disassociate herself from them.
The party room agreed to a compromise under which she was suspended for nine months, costing her the position of upper house whip and the $20,000 pay rise that went with it.
But the parliamentary team expelled her weeks later, in a motion co-signed by other MPs, after she threatened to launch legal action against the party and Pesutto.
Deeming declined to comment on Wednesday.
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