Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has no plans to resign as Liberal leader despite losing his defamation battle with ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming. Pesutto told reporters this afternoon he consulted “many people”, including colleagues, to decide not to resign. His decision to resign came despite a tribunal judge ordering him to pay $300,000 for multiple defamation claims against the ousted MP.
Expelled Liberal MP Moira Deeming seeks to sue Victorian Opposition Leader for defamation. (Joe Armao) Justice David O’Callaghan handed down his judgment in the Federal Court today following a three-and-a-half-week trial in September. Justice O’Callaghan found Pessuto did defame Deeming in a media release, two radio interviews, a press conference and a motion to expel her from the party. The judge ruled that Pessuto had suggested she was unfit to remain in the parliamentary Liberal Party because she had Nazi links. “Two years ago this month I took on the responsibilities of Leader of the Opposition and Acting Premier of Victoria,” Pessuto said. “Victoria needed better leadership, which is why I took on the job and why I intend to continue in it.” Pessuto again denied rumours of unrest within the party, insisting none of his colleagues had called for him to step down following the Federal Court ruling.
John Pessuto’s legal team said the motivation for deporting Dimin had “nothing to do with her views”. (Photo by Chris Hopkins) He called the loss in the defamation case “very disappointing” but said he respected the verdict. “I do accept this decision that the court has made, as disappointing as it is,” Pessuto said. “I have always been a fighter, I have always fought for the right reasons and for the right people, the people of Victoria. “That is why I will continue to serve in this role, now more than ever. “We need leaders with a fighting spirit, leaders who stand up and take responsibility and always put the interests of our state first. “Nothing in this judgment will deter me from my responsibility to deliver a better future for the people of Victoria. Earlier today, Dimin told reporters she “still believes” in the Liberal Party and had “every right” to return after a judge upheld her view that Pessuto had defamed her character. Dimin accused Pessuto of defaming her by suggesting or implying that she was a Nazi or Nazi sympathizer. In March 2023, he denied the “Let Women Speak” rally in Melbourne. Dimin spoke at and helped organize the transphobic event, which featured black-clad men attending and performing Nazi salutes on the steps of state parliament. The now-independent MP told the court that the men had nothing to do with her rally. Outside court, Dimin thanked the court, her lawyers and supporters before telling media she had “every right” to return to the Liberal caucus room. “To me it makes sense that this would happen and I don’t know what they would actually do,” Dimin said. “If anyone wants to speak to me, my door is open. “I had every right to be there, I did nothing wrong. “All the allegations against me, they were overturned in court. Pessuto had previously said he personally would not support a decision to reintegrate Dimin into the party, but today he told reporters it would be a decision for the entire party. “Decisions like this are not for me alone. I don’t talk about these things before caucus. I have made it clear many times that this is a matter for caucus,” Pessuto said.”
John Pessuto will not resign as leader of the Victorian Liberal Party. (Channel 9) Deeming said she would no longer demand an apology from Pessuto, who has been ordered by the court to pay her $300,000 in damages. “The time for asking and demanding things from that man is long gone,” she said. “The judge has given me something better. I’m really looking forward to getting back to what I came here to do, which is to fight for fairer laws and to help the people of Victoria.” While she insisted Pessuto “has not proven himself to be trustworthy” in his position, she stopped short of suggesting he resign. “It’s not for me to decide,” she said.
Outside court, Deeming thanked the court, her lawyers and supporters before telling media she had “every right” to return to the Liberal party room. (Channel 9) Deeming insisted she would be able to work with the Liberal leader if he remained in the role. “I still believe in this party and you know, if you look at the Liberal platform, they have great values.” “It’s run by volunteers .. the volunteers deserve better than what’s happening now under the Liberal logo.” “It’s not like I can’t focus on the people I actually serve.” Pesutto was not in court to hear the verdict, and Deeming was supported by her husband and a group of women. The group cheered after the judge left the bench, while Deeming’s husband gave her a hug.