Moira Deeming, a Member of the Victorian Legislative Council, has initiated legal proceedings against the state president of the Liberal Party, Brian Loughnane. The lawsuit aims to prevent the party from removing her as a candidate for the upcoming state election in November. Deeming is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court on Friday morning to present her case.
Legal Challenge Ahead of Party Meeting
The legal action comes just hours before the Liberal Party’s state executive was set to convene on Friday night. This meeting was intended to decide Deeming’s fate as the Liberal candidate for the Western Metropolitan region’s upper house ticket. The executive’s decision would determine if she retains her prominent No. 1 position.
Recent days have seen a significant consensus emerge among Liberal Party figures and Members of Parliament, spanning both moderate and conservative factions. This broad agreement points towards a desire to sever ties with Deeming. A key factor contributing to this sentiment has been an unsubstantiated assault allegation Deeming made against former Liberal leader Matthew Guy.
Allegations and Refusal to Apologize
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson had publicly called for Deeming to apologize to Matthew Guy for her claim. The allegation was subsequently investigated and definitively dismissed by Victoria Police. Despite this, Deeming has refused to offer an apology. Through her legal representative earlier this week, she stated that she had no grounds for an apology but suggested she had misunderstood the precise definition of a headlock.
A source within the Liberal Party, who requested anonymity, indicated that Deeming’s legal challenge was anticipated and had already been incorporated into the party’s strategic planning. For Deeming to successfully halt Friday’s state executive meeting, she must overcome two critical legal obstacles.
Court Hurdles for Deeming’s Candidacy
Firstly, Deeming must persuade the court that her case possesses sufficient merit and presents a serious question that warrants a full trial. Secondly, she needs to demonstrate that, based on the balance of convenience, the court should grant a temporary injunction. Such an injunction would restrain the state executive from proceeding with its meeting to decide on her endorsement as a candidate.
Growing Isolation Within the Party
Senior figures within the Liberal Party have reportedly conveyed that Deeming has exhausted the patience of even her most steadfast supporters. She is now described as being isolated from the broader party membership and leadership.
Among Deeming’s notable past supporters was Sky News broadcaster Peta Credlin. Credlin, who previously served as chief of staff to former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, is married to Brian Loughnane, the Liberal state president named in Deeming’s lawsuit. The case is set to be heard by Justice Kerri Judd of the Supreme Court, who is also the former Director of Public Prosecutions for Victoria.
Precedent of Past Legal Battles
This is not the first time Deeming has engaged in legal action against party figures. As a first-term MP, she previously sued former Liberal leader John Pesutto for defamation. That legal dispute significantly divided the party, particularly after Deeming attended the controversial ‘Let Women Speak’ rally held on the steps of parliament, which was infiltrated by neo-Nazi demonstrators.
In the aftermath of the rally, Pesutto’s leadership team convened to discuss how to address Deeming’s involvement. A primary concern at the time, which has since proven prescient, was the potential for Deeming to destabilize the party in the months leading up to the 2026 state election if no action was taken. However, the subsequent decision to suspend Deeming from the party room, based on what some considered flimsy evidence of misconduct, reportedly undermined Pesutto’s leadership. Deeming’s successful defamation lawsuit ultimately led to her reinstatement into the party room, occurring just weeks before Pesutto was ultimately ousted as leader.
Conclusion
The current legal challenge by Moira Deeming against Brian Loughnane represents a critical juncture for her political career and the Victorian Liberal Party. The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing will not only determine her immediate candidacy for the state election but could also have lasting implications for party unity and internal governance.
