Moira Deeming Wins Defamation Case Against Pesutto

Former Liberal MP Moira Deeming has won a defamation case against Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, receiving $300,000 in damages after the court found Pesutto suggested she was a Nazi sympathizer. The ruling followed a three-week trial that involved testimonies from various Victorian Liberal MPs and revealed secret recordings and messages. Justice David O’Callaghan stated that while Pesutto did not intend to defame Deeming, his use of terms like 'Nazi' created a false narrative about her. The case stemmed from a controversial rally in March 2023, which was disrupted by neo-Nazi protesters. Deeming's attorney argued that Pesutto's actions were motivated by her views on sex-based rights rather than the rally itself. In light of the verdict, calls for Pesutto's resignation have intensified, highlighting a crisis within the Victorian Liberal Party.