Darcy Dunstan and Libby Coker launch Corangamite campaigns

An MP who recently returned to the fold following a saga that helped bring down the Victorian Liberal leader has made a surprise appearance at a local campaign launch.

Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan held his Corangamite election campaign launch at Leopold Sportsman’s Club on the weekend, where Moira Deeming (far left) was front and centre, as was Bev McArthur and Sarah Henderson.

Liberal candidate for Corangamite Darcy Dunstan has been supported by a trio of female MPs at his campaign launch, with one in particular turning heads at the event.

One-time exiled Liberal upper house member Moira Deeming was front and centre at the launch on Saturday, attended by an estimated 200 people at Leopold Sportsman’s Club.

In an image posted on social media, Mrs Deeming is seen standing next to her Legislative Council colleague Bev McArthur.

Ms McArthur was one of her strongest supporters after she was ousted from the Opposition party room in the wake of a controversial Let Women Speak rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis.

State Liberal MPs approved Mrs Deeming’s return to the party room in late December at the same meeting in which Brad Battin succeeded John Pesutto as leader.

The campaign launch was the first time Mr Dunstan and Mrs Deeming had met, and the Liberal hopeful was thankful for the support.

Mrs Deeming, who was contacted for comment, represents the Western Metropolitan Region, which stretches from Sunbury in the north to Little River in the south.

Ms McArthur spoke at the event, as did Senator Sarah Henderson and Sky News host Peta Credlin.

Peta Credlin spoke at Darcy Dunstan's campaign launch. Picture: Facebook.

Ms Credlin, the Geelong-educated former chief of staff to prime minister Tony Abbott, has previously interviewed Mr Dunstan on her Sky News show.

“I reckon you’re a bit like Australia’s JD Vance in some ways,” she said on one occasion.

Mr Dunstan’s launch came a week after incumbent MP Libby Coker held her event at Connewarre Memorial Hall.

She was joined by Corio MP and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant and her long-serving predecessor Lisa Neville, who has been Barwon Health chair since June 2023.

Libby Coker at her federal campaign launch. Picture: Facebook.

Also in attendance was unsuccessful 2022 state Labor candidate Hutch Hussein and former Surf Coast Shire mayor Rose Hodge.

Some local Labor members noted the absence of state MPs Ella George, Christine Couzens and Gayle Tierney.

Ms Couzens said an existing commitment meant she could not be there.

“I will be making every effort to get to any other events Libby and Richard may have,” she said.

Lisa Neville and Richard Marles were at Libby Coker’s campaign launch. Picture: Facebook.

Corangamite is a key seat for the Coalition in its bid to return to power.

Minor party and independent candidate preferences are expected to play a decisive role in whether Mr Dunstan can overcome Ms Coker’s 7.6 per cent margin.

Mitch Pope has been preselected for the Greens, Surf Coast Councillor Paul Barker will again stand for the Libertarian Party, and Kate Lockhart was last week named as the Voices of Corangamite candidate.

Sportsbet has Ms Coker $1.38 favourite to retain the seat, with Mr Dunstan paying $2.80.

Originally published as Darcy Dunstan and Libby Coker launch Corangamite campaigns