John Pesutto determined to hold on to seat as threat of bankruptcy looms

The former opposition leader has vowed to do whatever it takes to stay on in parliament despite the looming threat of bankruptcy as he waits to see how much of Moira Deeming’s legal fees he needs to pay.

Former opposition leader John Pesutto has vowed to fight to remain in parliament and hold on to his seat despite the looming threat of bankruptcy.

The Member for Hawthorn — who was overthrown as leader of the Liberal Party late last year — is awaiting a cost decision on how much of Moira Deeming’s legal fees he needs to pay.

Mr Pesutto has already paid $315,000 in damages after the Federal Court found he defamed Mrs Deeming in his effort to boot her from the party room after she attended a women’s rights rally in March 2023.

There are fears that a significant cost ruling could bankrupt Mr Pesutto, which would immediately trigger a by-election because bankrupt people are ineligible to sit in the parliament.

Mr Pesutto, who was relegated to Brad Battin’s backbench, has in recent months kept a very low profile in the media despite remaining active in his local community.

But speaking to the Herald Sun on Tuesday, Mr Pesutto said he would do whatever it took to stay in politics.

John Pesutto is awaiting a cost decision on how much of Moira Deeming’s legal fees he needs to pay.

“Serving as the member for Hawthorn has been the privilege and honour of my professional career. I have continued to receive very strong support from my constituents to represent them and I remain fully committed to doing so for as long as they will have me,” he said.

“Throughout 2023 and 2024 the Party’s standing with voters rose steadily and consistently, putting us on a pathway to victory if we can continue to build on that achievement.

“I will continue to be a constructive and devoted member of the Liberal team in order to win the 2026 election and be the positive and reforming government Victorians desperately need.”

Mr Pesutto’s comments come a day after the Herald Sun revealed Liberal operatives were plotting to end the political career of Mrs Deeming in a move that could reignite a major factional party war.

Mr Pesutto’s comments come a day after the Herald Sun revealed Liberal operatives were plotting to end the political career of Mrs Deeming. Picture: David Crosling

Amid questions over Mr Pesutto’s own political future, deputy Premier Ben Carroll said the Allan government would welcome a shot at contesting a by-election in Hawthorn.

“If there is a by-election in Hawthorn, we’d welcome it,” he said.

“We’ve held that seat before. I’ve been in Hawthorn regularly. We’ve got a good story to tell.”

Mr Carroll’s comments come despite Labor having a history of not running candidates in by-elections that had been sparked by the resignation of non-government MPs.

Labor did not contest this year’s Prahran by-election or the 2023 Warrandyte by-election, which were both won by the Liberal Party.

Deputy premier Ben Carroll says the Allan government would welcome a shot at contesting a by-election in Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if Labor would definitely field a candidate in a potential Hawthorn showdown, Mr Carroll said: “I won’t get ahead of what the party office would decide, except to say we have held Hawthorn”.

“It’s a very marginal seat and I know we’ve put a lot of investment in there but it’s a matter for John Pesutto and the Liberal Party as to whether there’s changes in that district,” he added.

Mr Carroll said he felt sorry for Mr Pesutto on a personal level and hoped for a good outcome.

“I’ve always said I thought there was a place for John Pesutto. I thought he was their best and was their strongest leader (but) they decided to neck him,” he added.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin says he won’t get involved in the court case beteen Mr Pesutto and Mrs Deeming. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Opposition Leader Brad Battin was asked how he could stand by and let one of his MPs face the threat of becoming potentially bankrupt.

Mr Battin said he wouldn’t get involved in the court case between Mr Pesutto and Mrs Deeming.

“I speak to both of my members in that case particularly around their welfare and that is my concern,” he said.

“Our focus is ensuring that my team is out working and if you look at John’s social media or Moira’s social media, both are out in their communities doing the right thing.”

Registers of Interests, tabled in parliament last month, revealed shadow ministers Georgie Crozier and David Southwick — who held leadership positions under the former leader — both dipped into their pockets to back Mr Pesutto in his defamation fight.

Mr Pesutto’s register also confirmed that former premiers, including Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu, and Denis Napthine, had handed over funds privately.

Originally published as John Pesutto determined to hold on to seat as threat of bankruptcy looms