Victoria's Moira Deeming Denied Party Readmission

Moira Deeming will remain excluded from the Victorian Liberal parliamentary party room after a recent vote ended in a tie, with leader John Pesutto casting his vote against her reinstatement. The decision follows a federal court ruling that found Pesutto had defamed Deeming by implying she associated with neo-Nazis during an anti-trans-rights rally she attended in 2023. In the vote, 14 Liberal MPs supported her return, but the motion failed to achieve the necessary majority of 16 votes. Despite the outcome, some party members expressed dissatisfaction, indicating ongoing divisions within the party regarding Deeming's status. Pesutto emphasized the need to focus on the upcoming byelections and confirmed intentions to appeal the defamation ruling. The situation highlights the complexities and tensions within the Victorian Liberal Party as they navigate internal conflicts and legal challenges.