Controversial Victorian MP Moira Deeming has suffered a significant political setback after losing Liberal preselection for the upcoming state election, casting serious doubts about her continued affiliation with the party. The outspoken conservative figure was defeated by businessman Dinesh Gourisetty in the battle for placement on the Liberals’ Western Metropolitan ballot for the November electoral contest.
The preselection loss has ignited widespread speculation that Deeming might consider defecting to alternative political movements, with One Nation and various minor parties emerging as potential destinations for the displaced parliamentarian.
Deeming first captured national attention in 2023 when she participated in an anti-trans rights demonstration that was subsequently infiltrated by neo-Nazi elements. While she publicly condemned the extremist groups on social media platforms, her involvement prompted then-Opposition Leader John Pesutto to initiate expulsion proceedings against her.
The political drama escalated when Deeming was formally removed from the parliamentary Liberal Party after threatening legal action against Pesutto. However, in a dramatic reversal of fortunes, Deeming emerged victorious in a December 2024 defamation case against her former leader.
Federal Court Justice David O’Callaghan ruled that Pesutto had defamed Deeming through multiple channels including radio interviews, press conferences, and official party documents. The court found that Pesutto’s communications wrongfully suggested Deeming knowingly associated with or sympathized with neo-Nazis and white supremacist ideologies.
The judicial outcome resulted in a $300,000 damages award to Deeming and a subsequent order for Pesutto to cover her legal costs amounting to $2,308,873. This legal victory stands in stark contrast to her current political predicament, creating a complex narrative of judicial vindication amid electoral rejection.