Will a Judge’s Ruling Change the Fate of a Controversial Liberal MP?
A judge is set to decide if Liberal leader John Pesutto defamed expelled MP Moira Deeming, following a heated two-year legal battle.
Moira Deeming, John Pesutto, Melbourne, Australia, Defamation, Liberal Party
Deeming claims Pesutto implied she was a Nazi sympathizer after a rally she helped organize. That rally had some pretty controversial moments, with people doing Nazi salutes. But Deeming insists those folks had nothing to do with her event.
She’s a mother of four and says she stands for “sex-based rights.” In court, she made it clear she doesn’t hold any homophobic or transphobic views. Her lawyer argues that Pesutto just wanted to get rid of her because he thought her views would mess with his political plans.
On the flip side, Pesutto’s team says that’s not true at all. They claim the push to expel Deeming had nothing to do with her beliefs. This whole situation has even put Pesutto’s leadership in jeopardy, with whispers of a coup floating around.
After a recent party meeting, he confirmed there was no motion to replace him, but depending on the judge’s decision, he might have to watch his back again. Deeming was first suspended from the Liberals in March 2023 and then kicked out two months later.