A defamation case between Moira Deeming and Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto is underway in the Federal Court this week.
Deeming was expelled from the Victorian Liberal Party after revelations she was associated with the organisers of a 2023 anti-trans rally.
The Melbourne rally was attended by several neo-Nazis, who made Nazi salutes in the direction of LGBTIQA+ community members protesting the rally.
Following her expulsion, Deeming launched legal action against State Opposition leader John Pesutto. She accused him of falsely portraying her as a Nazi sympathiser.
Background
Deeming appeared at an anti-trans rally attended by neo-Nazis last year.
She later said she was “horrified” neo-Nazis were at the rally, and criticised Victoria Police for letting “a bunch of masked men” attend the event.
Rally organisers Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull and Angie Jones claimed they did not invite neo-Nazis.
However, Keen-Minshull has publicly associated with neo-Nazis before and some of Jones’ social media commentary has been interpreted as welcoming their support.
Expulsion
Following the rally, Deeming was suspended from the Victorian Liberal Party for nine months over her association with Keen-Minshull and Jones.
Weeks later, the state’s Liberal Party Leader John Pesutto moved to expel her.
Deeming was eventually expelled from the Victorian Liberal Party in a vote by her parliamentary colleagues in May 2023.
In an interview with the ABC at the time, Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called the situation a “mess”.
Legal action
Following her expulsion from the Liberal Party, Deeming launched legal action against Pesutto, after accusing him of defamation.
Her lawyers claimed several of Pesutto’s media releases and media interviews “have or were likely to cause serious harm to Deeming’s reputation” by implying “she supports white supremacists and Neo-Nazis.”
Deeming called for Pesutto to make a public comment, clearing her of any wrongdoing. Pesutto denies “ever” accusing Deeming “of being a Nazi or herself having Nazi sympathies.“
Trial
The defamation case between Deeming and Pesutto began in the Federal Court this week.
Deeming told the court Pesutto was made aware of the rally, and its organisers and that she would attend.
The Federal Court has published several documents filed as evidence by Deeming’s lawyers.
This includes twelve character references from her associates and ex-colleagues. For example, Federal Senator Sarah Henderson, who tried to convince Pesutto not to expel Deeming.
A secret audio recording of a 70-minute meeting between Deeming and her former party members, including Pesutto, was also published.
It revealed the conversation in which Deeming was told she would be expelled, which left her feeling “sick and very uneasy”.
Pesutto is accused of using the rally as “an excuse to get rid of [Deeming]”.
Pesutto’s lawyers will dispute claims the Opposition Leader caused Deeming reputational damage as the trial continues in the weeks ahead.
