Liberals Gather to Decide on Expelled MP Moira Deeming’s Return
Victorian Liberal MPs will vote on whether Moira Deeming can rejoin the party after a defamation ruling against party leader John Pesutto
Moira Deeming, John Pesutto, Victoria, Liberal Party, Defamation
Melbourne: So, the Victorian Liberal MPs are getting together to figure out if Moira Deeming can come back into the party. She was kicked out after some pretty harsh words from party leader John Pesutto.
They’re going to debate a motion on Friday morning about letting her back in. A few MPs, including Bill Tilley and Richard Riordan, have signed it. They think it’s time to give everyone a chance to do the right thing.
After all, the Federal Court found that Pesutto defamed her and now he has to pay her over $315,000. Tilley, who’s stepping down in 2026 due to health issues, says this isn’t about attacking Pesutto’s leadership.
Pesutto has said that there won’t be any fallout for those who vote to let Deeming back in. About 28 state Liberal MPs are expected to show up, and she’ll need 15 votes to be welcomed back.
Interestingly, shadow treasurer Brad Rowswell is against the motion, while opposition police spokesman Brad Battin is on Deeming’s side. Pesutto has made it clear that he won’t punish anyone in his shadow cabinet for their votes.
The court found that Pesutto made some defamatory comments during interviews and after a rally that Deeming attended back in March 2023. After that, she was expelled and has been sitting as an independent.
Sam Groth even resigned from the shadow cabinet after Pesutto lost the lawsuit. Despite all this, Pesutto isn’t stepping down and wants the party to just move on.
Recently, he was ordered to cover Deeming’s legal costs and has promised not to repeat those damaging statements again. It’s a bit of a mess, but it looks like they’re trying to sort it out.