The bitter feud between Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming and former leader Matthew Guy has taken a dramatic turn, with Deeming launching a last-ditch legal challenge against the party's president, Brian Loughnane. As the party prepares to meet to decide her future as a candidate in the upcoming state election, Deeming's action has sparked intense debate within the Liberal ranks.
The row stems from an assault allegation made by Deeming against Guy, which was lodged with Victoria Police following a gala dinner on May 23rd. Deeming claimed that Guy had 'violently' placed her in a headlock, but police subsequently found no evidence to support this claim. Despite the lack of evidence, Guy has denied any wrongdoing and demanded an apology from Deeming for damaging his reputation.
The controversy has drawn criticism from within the party, with Opposition Leader Jess Wilson calling on Deeming to issue an apology. Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, has also weighed in, stating that she would not offer Deeming a position due to her refusal to admit fault. Dr Zareh Ghazarian, a political scientist at Monash University, suggests that the timing of the row is particularly damaging for the party, coming just months before the November 28th state election.
Deeming's lawyer, Tim Houweling, maintains that his client's complaint was made 'honestly, in good faith and only as a matter of last resort'. He points to CCTV footage which appears to show Guy placing a hand on Deeming's upper back or shoulder, pulling her in to speak. Houweling argues that Guy maintained a grip as Deeming attempted to pull away, describing the contact as 'unexpected, unwelcome, physically painful and caused her to feel fear and confusion'. This is not Deeming's first high-profile legal battle; she previously successfully sued former leader John Pesutto for defamation.
The outcome of both the court challenge and the party executive meeting will significantly impact the stability and public image of the Victorian Liberal party leading into the state election. The internal dispute has already sparked concerns about the party's ability to present a united front, which could potentially harm its chances in the election.