The Victorian Liberal Party is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis following the fallout from Opposition Leader John Pesutto's defamation case involving exiled MP Moira Deeming. This situation has placed Pesutto’s leadership under intense scrutiny as he prepares to face the party’s leadership spill on Friday, following significant pressure from within his ranks.
Pesutto has been under fire ever since he lost his defamation case against Deeming, who successfully argued in court earlier this month the he had wrongly portrayed her as associated with neo-Nazi groups after she attended the anti-trans rights rally last year, which was disrupted by far-right extremists. The Federal Court ordered Pesutto to pay $300,000 for damages after it was ruled he defamed her through various media statements, claiming she was linked to Nazi sympathizers.
Now, just weeks after the court’s decision, the Victorian Opposition leader finds himself confronting his own party members, with many calling for extraordinary meetings to address both Deeming's potential reinstatement and his leadership situation. Reports indicate notable fractures within party ranks, underscoring the contentious atmosphere surrounding Pesutto's leadership.
Specifically, Pesutto faced backlash after he initially used his casting vote to block Deeming's readmission to the parliamentary wing of the Liberal Party during last week’s party room vote, which resulted in a tie, leaving members divided.
Six shadow ministers, including Shadow Police Minister Brad Battin, have now signed on to calling for another special meeting as the party grapples with internal divisions over its future. This upcoming meeting has heightened tensions, as it is expected to be not just about Deeming’s potential return but also about Pesutto’s fate as party leader.
On Sunday, Pesutto announced he would call another party meeting for January 15 to discuss the readmission of Deeming, acknowledging the overwhelming sentiment among party colleagues to resolve the issue. He apologized to Deeming, seeking to shift focus toward winning future elections rather than continuing the inter-party drama.
“It has become clear there is now a definite absolute majority of my colleagues who want this issue resolved with Mrs. Deeming's readmission so we can collectively put this behind us,” Pesutto stated. He expressed hope to focus on accountability for the current Allan Labor Government as they venture closer to the 2026 state elections.
Despite Pesutto’s move, Deeming has stated she had not received direct communication from him about the motion for readmission. Instead, she learned of the announcement through media reports and confirmed she was disappointed with the party’s handling of her situation. Even more turbulent are reactions from within the party, with prominent MP Sam Groth resigning from the shadow cabinet, citing dissatisfaction with how Deeming was treated.
The internal struggle became increasingly public as former party leaders and respected figures within the political community have criticized Pesutto's handling of the situation—former Prime Minister Tony Abbott cited the decision as "shameful" and called for unity within the party ranks.
Adding fuel to the fire, senior Liberal MPs, including Richard Riordan, expressed disappointment over the internal divide. They voiced concerns about the party's direction, as many argue the situation surrounding Deeming's readmission remains unresolved and damaging for their credibility.
Deeming herself, reflecting on her circumstances following the defamation suit, asserted she did nothing wrong and aimed to depoliticize the matter, urging her colleagues to act professionally. "We’re supposed to be here to serve Victorians. If you can’t be professional enough to put everything aside and serve Victorians, then you shouldn’t be in Parliament,” she stated, reaffirming her dedication to the party but emphasizing the need for mutual respect.
The dramatic confrontation surrounding Pesutto’s leadership has revealed underlying tensions within the Liberal Party state branches and raised questions about its unity moving forward headed toward several pivotal elections. If the spill occurs as anticipated on Friday, Pesutto could find himself swiftly replaced, with shadow ministers like Battin seen as potential successors.
The leadership candidacy race will likely be closely watched, as competing factions continue to emerge within the party. Speculations suggest various alliance formations might arise, merging moderate and right-wing factions, all vying to forge the party's future direction.
Regardless of the outcome from the upcoming meetings, the path to unity within the Victorian Liberal Party seems to have become more complicated than ever before. This continuing saga highlights not just individual political rivalries but also the broader struggle of the party to remain relevant and effective amid external societal divisions.
Expectations for clarity and progress are high as the situation evolves, as Pesutto and Deeming's saga is emblematic of larger themes playing out within political parties worldwide. Time will tell if the Victorian Liberal Party can navigate their internal discord effectively or if it will lead to greater fragmentation within its ranks.
