John Pesutto’s legal defence in Moira Deeming defamation case could cost up to $1m

Opposition Leader John Pesutto will be forced to personally fund his legal ­defence against a defamation action by expelled MP Moira Deeming.

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto will be forced to personally fund his legal ­defence against a defamation action by expelled MP Moira Deeming.

The Victorian Liberal Party has ruled out funding the case, which sources estimate could cost up to $1m to defend.

While defamation proceedings have not yet been lodged, Mr Pesutto has already engaged lawyers to respond to two concerns notices sent by Mrs Deeming’s legal team. A third is also expected to be sent.

Senior Liberal sources said the party’s powerful administrative committee had determined it would not fund the case. Some rank-and-file members had raised concerns about party funds being used to pay for Mr Pesutto’s defence.

John Pesutto may be forced to defend a potentially damning defamation action. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“Among the rank and file, Moira actually has more support than John,” one Liberal said.

Ms Deeming flagged defamation proceedings ahead of her expulsion from the parliamentary party.

It followed a campaign by Mr Pesutto to expel her, which began after she attended a Let Women Speak rally on the steps of Parliament House in March. Soon after, he compiled a 15-page dossier of evidence, accusing her of having Nazi links and “conducting activities in a manner likely to bring discredit on the parliament or the parliamentary party”.

Ms Deeming beat the initial expulsion move, negotiating a nine-month suspension instead. She was ultimately expelled when she issued an initial defamation concerns notice against Mr Pesutto.

There have been no moves to expel her from the wider Liberal Party, with sources saying any such motion would fail.

Moira Deeming flagged defamation proceedings ahead of her expulsion from the parliamentary party. Picture: Ian Currie

Lawyers for Mr Pesutto have indicated they will rely on a truth defence. “In the event that your client commences proceedings, Mr Pesutto ­intends to vigorously defend the claim, including on the basis that the meanings in fact conveyed by the motion are substantially true,” they wrote to Ms Deeming’s lawyers this week.

“We are instructed to make clear that our client makes no apologies for taking a strong stance against your client’s failure to dissociate herself unequivocally from and to condemn individuals with known links to neo-Nazis.”

Liberal figures are understood to be concerned about Mr Pesutto’s “doubling down” and the prospect of a long and public court battle.

Senior lawyers say the actions could take up to two years to move their way through the courts, and could force the leader and his staff to disclose correspondence including text messages and emails.

Originally published as John Pesutto’s legal defence in Moira Deeming defamation case could cost up to $1m