Upper house MP Moira Deeming has launched legal action against Victorian Liberal state president Brian Loughnane to block the party from disendorsing her ahead of the November state election. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on Friday, which challenges a planned state executive meeting intended to determine her position on the party’s ticket for the Western Metropolitan region.
The legal challenge
To succeed in her bid, Deeming must clear two primary legal hurdles. According to reports, she must first convince the court that her case holds merit and presents a serious question to be tried. Second, she must persuade the court to issue a temporary injunction on the “balance of convenience” that would prevent the state executive from meeting to determine her endorsement as a candidate.
The case is set to be heard by Supreme Court judge Kerri Judd, the former Director of Public Prosecutions. An anonymous Liberal source stated that the party had anticipated the legal challenge and incorporated it into their internal planning.
The legal action targets Brian Loughnane, who took charge of the Victorian branch in May. Loughnane is married to Peta Credlin, a Sky News broadcaster and former chief of staff to Tony Abbott, who previously served as one of Deeming’s most prominent supporters.
Context of the dispute
The party’s move to disendorse Deeming follows an unsubstantiated assault allegation she made against former Liberal leader Matthew Guy. While Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has publicly demanded an apology for the claim, Deeming has refused, maintaining through her lawyer that she had nothing to apologize for. She attributed the controversy to a misunderstanding regarding the technical meaning of a headlock, a claim Victoria Police investigated and dismissed.
Senior Liberal figures indicate that Deeming has become isolated within the party, having exhausted the patience of her previous supporters across both moderate and conservative factions. This current friction follows a prior legal battle between Deeming and former leader John Pesutto regarding her defamation claim following a “Let Women Speak” rally, which was gate-crashed by neo-Nazis. That earlier dispute resulted in her suspension from the party room—a decision that critics argued ultimately contributed to the destabilization of Pesutto’s leadership.
The recurring legal confrontations between Deeming and the Liberal party hierarchy reflect a significant breakdown in internal party management. By escalating these disputes to the Supreme Court, the party faces a heightened risk of public division. The court’s ruling on the injunction will likely determine whether the party can finalize its ticket configuration or if the internal conflict will continue to play out in the public eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the legal action?
Moira Deeming is seeking an injunction to stop the Liberal state executive from meeting to determine her endorsement as a candidate for the upcoming November state election.
What is the basis for the party’s move to disendorse her?
According to party figures, there is a broad consensus to cut ties with Deeming following an unsubstantiated assault allegation she made against former Liberal leader Matthew Guy, which was dismissed by Victoria Police.
Has Deeming apologized for the allegation?
No. Deeming has refused to apologize, stating through her lawyer that she had nothing to apologize for and had merely misunderstood the technical meaning of a headlock.
How will this legal challenge influence the party’s stability as the election approaches?
