Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has secured a decisive victory after Liberal MPs voted to keep Moira Deeming expelled from the party room.
In a civilised meeting this morning, MPs gathered to vote on whether Deeming, who was expelled in May 2023 following controversial comments and legal threats, should be reinstated. The vote ended in a tie at 14-14, leaving Pesutto with the crucial role of casting the deciding vote. However, Pesutto’s vote proved unnecessary, as the motion failed to meet the required constitutional threshold of an absolute majority—16 votes.
After the meeting, Pesutto confirmed that while he was prepared to use his casting vote, it ultimately “wasn’t required” due to the party’s constitution, which mandates that an absolute majority of 16 is needed to alter membership status. “The advice to the room was that an absolute majority of 16 was required, and the motion did not meet that,” Pesutto explained. “So, in the end, it wasn’t required.”
The vote followed a heated but civil discussion, with MPs expressing differing views. Despite a push from some quarters for Deeming’s return, Pesutto’s position prevailed, maintaining the integrity of the party’s decision to expel her last year.
Pesutto emphasized that the decision was in line with party rules and was the result of careful consideration. “Everyone who wanted to speak had the opportunity to present their views, and in the end, the motion failed to gain the necessary support,” he said.
The vote comes on the heels of a legal victory for Deeming, who won a defamation case against Pesutto after he publicly implied she was a Nazi sympathizer following a rally she attended in March 2023. However, Pesutto’s stance remains firm, and he made clear that the focus now would shift to the broader political agenda.
“I’m now focused on holding the Allan Labor government to account and preparing for upcoming by-elections in Prahran and Werribee,” Pesutto stated.
The outcome represents a significant political win for Pesutto, consolidating his leadership as he prepares for the next chapter in his leadership of the Victorian Liberal Party. The Deeming issue is now officially closed, and Pesutto’s decisive handling of the vote signals his determination to maintain party discipline and cohesion as he moves forward in opposition.
