Victorian Liberal MP Launches Supreme Court Challenge Amidst Pre-Selection Firestorm
In a dramatic turn for the Victorian Liberal Party, upper house MP Moira Deeming has launched legal action in the Supreme Court against the party's state president, Brian Loughnane. The move comes on the very day the party's state executive is scheduled to meet to determine Ms Deeming's pre-selection for the upcoming state election, casting a long shadow over the evening's proceedings.
The 'Headlock' Controversy Unpacks
At the heart of the current storm is Ms Deeming's unyielding refusal to issue an unqualified apology to fellow Liberal MP Matthew Guy. Ms Deeming had previously alleged that Mr Guy placed her in a "headlock" at a Macedonian community event in Melbourne's western suburbs last month. She first lodged a complaint with the Opposition Leader's office before taking the matter to Victoria Police.
However, police dismissed the complaint last week following a review of security camera footage of the interaction. The footage reportedly showed Mr Guy placing his hand on Ms Deeming's back in a crowded venue, not the "headlock" described. In response, Ms Deeming released a statement via her lawyer, asserting that she had misunderstood the precise meaning of the term "headlock."
Mr Guy, visibly emotional last week, publicly demanded an apology from Ms Deeming, stating, "There is no ambiguity. I did not do what's alleged. The CCTV proves this; it did from the start, and Victoria Police agree. Moira Deeming owes me a public apology," and threatened defamation action if one was not forthcoming.
Pre-Selection Showdown Looms
The state executive's meeting, requested by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, is poised to discuss Ms Deeming's future as the top Liberal candidate for the Western Metropolitan region. Ms Deeming has been invited to present her case to the executive tonight, arguing why she should retain her pre-selection. However, the party's leadership has made it clear that her refusal to apologise to Mr Guy has significant repercussions.
Leader of Opposition Business, James Newbury, confirmed earlier this week that an offer for Ms Deeming to meet with Ms Wilson was now "off the table" due to her refusal to retract her allegations. "A request was made for her to make an unqualified apology. She has refused to do that," Mr Newbury stated. "Further action, therefore, needs to occur."
For Ms Deeming to be disendorsed, three-quarters of the 18-person executive will need to agree. It's important to note that the executive is not seeking to expel Ms Deeming from the Liberal Party as a rank-and-file member or from the parliamentary party room, but specifically from her pre-selected candidacy.
Wider Political Ramifications
As the internal party drama unfolds, the prospect of Ms Deeming finding a new political home appears dim, at least according to one prominent figure. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson explicitly ruled out recruiting Ms Deeming as a candidate, despite her party's history of attracting high-profile Coalition defectors.
"No. I don't want her. No, no," Senator Hanson told 3AW, citing Ms Deeming's allegations against a Liberal Party colleague that "were proven to be… no charges were laid, refused to make an apology." Senator Hanson added, "You don't do that to your fellow colleagues. And it tells me a person that's not prepared to admit they got it wrong and back away from it."
Deeming's Path to Parliament
A former teacher, Ms Deeming has a history of contesting elections under the Liberal banner, including as a candidate for St Albans in 2014 and in an unwinnable position for the Western Metropolitan ticket in 2018. She ascended to her current top spot for the Western Metropolitan region in July 2022, replacing veteran MP Bernie Finn, who was expelled from the Liberal Party following a series of controversial social media posts. This history highlights the volatility and internal challenges that have become increasingly common within the Victorian Liberal Party.