Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and his leadership group have written to Bernie Finn to say he will face a motion to expel him

A new social media post from Bernie Finn has “set the wheels in motion” for his expulsion from the Victorian Liberal Party.

Liberals angry that moves to expel outspoken MP Bernie Finn are being blamed on his anti-abortion views say his ongoing pattern of behaviours is instead to blame.

It comes as a new social media post by Mr Finn has been uncovered that included a meme joking about running down climate change protesters.

The image was posted on April 18, but Liberal sources said it was quietly removed before attracting any widespread attention.

“It was pulled down very quickly, but it was definitely that post that got the wheels in motion,” one source said.

The post shared on Bernie Finn’s social media. Picture: Instagram

“This is not about Bernie’s views on abortion. It is about the fact that he continues to act with very little regard to the party or his colleagues.”

Mr Finn has officially been asked to tell his colleagues why he should not be kicked out of the party.

He has come under fire within the Victorian Liberals over comments made about abortion on his Facebook page, along with a history of other controversial comments.

But in a shock move, he has been told he will face a vote on Tuesday by the Liberal partyroom to kick him out.

Bernie Finn has come under fire from his Victorian Liberal colleagues.

Letters received by Mr Finn have revealed the justification those looking to oust him will use.

The Liberals have warned him over two rules which state MPs should not publicly criticise or discredit the party.

It says anyone who breaches their constitution can be called to a special meeting to explain their conduct and the issue dealt with by an absolute majority of their colleagues.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy and his leadership group have written to Mr Finn to say he will face a motion to expel him based on these guidelines on Tuesday.

“It is important to note that, in line with the constitution, you will be given an opportunity to explain your conduct,” it reads.

It has also been signed by Deputy Opposition Leader David Southwick, Shadow Treasurer David Davis and Deputy Liberal leader in the Legislative Council Georgie Crozier.

On Tuesday Australian Christian Lobby national director Wendy Francis urged supporters to petition the party.

“In a shocking development, members of the Victorian Liberal Party are seeking to expel Bernie Finn MP on account of his Christian pro-life views and for publicly stating he prays for an end to abortion,” Ms Francis said in a statement.

“Mr Finn’s pro-life views are traditional Christian beliefs accepted by many thousands of Victorians.

“He leads the annual March for the Babies, an event that energises Victoria’s growing, young pro-life generation.

“Mr Finn’s political career commenced in 1992 and since then, he has been repeatedly, democratically, endorsed by the Victorian public.

“He has worked tirelessly to advance the pro-life movement. Right now, he needs your support.”

Fears ousting of Finn will hurt Liberals

The Victorian Liberal Party is facing a potentially damaging backlash over moves to expel Mr Finn, party sources fear.

Some Liberals fear the move could lead to a protest exodus of rank and file members from Melbourne’s west, where sources say Mr Finn still enjoys some staunch support.

It would leave the party vulnerable in the lead-up to the November election, when they hope to exploit anti-government sentiment that polling shows is strong in western suburbs.

“It also means that all of Finn’s office communications budget, which could have been used to promote us in the west in the lead-up to November, where we’re supposed to be targeting seats, will go,” one senior Liberal Party source said.

“It’s amazingly stupid and self-defeating.”

There are also fears that if expelled Mr Finn could become a bigger problem for the party.

“He’s got nothing to lose now, that’s what makes him so dangerous,” one Liberal Party source said.

A partyroom meeting will be held next week to vote on a motion to remove the upper house politician.

It comes after Mr Finn resigned as the opposition whip in the upper house after sparking widespread controversy over anti-abortion comments posted on social media.

He has accused his Liberal Party colleagues of displaying a “degree of disloyalty” to him.

On Tuesday, Australian Christian Lobby national director Wendy Francis urged supporters to petition the party.

“In a shocking development, members of the Victorian Liberal Party are seeking to expel Bernie Finn MP on account of his Christian pro-life views and for publicly stating he prays for an end to abortion,” Ms Francis said in a statement.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has distanced himself from the MP. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Mr Finn’s pro-life views are traditional Christian beliefs accepted by many thousands of Victorians.

“He leads the annual March for the Babies, an event that energises Victoria’s growing, young pro-life generation.

“Mr Finn’s political career commenced in 1992 and since then, he has been repeatedly, democratically, endorsed by the Victorian public.

“He has worked tirelessly to advance the pro-life movement. Right now, he needs your support.”

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has blamed Mr Finn’s “continued lack of discipline” for the move to expel him.

Mr Finn, a former Liberal Party campaign director who first entered parliament in 1992, has become increasingly brazen with his social media activity.

Last year he dubbed Victoria Police officers “modern incarnation of the Despot’s militia” and has been accused of posting pro-Trump conspiracy theories.

He also sparked outrage after posting a meme about a Chinese rocket falling on the national broadcaster or his political rivals, and mocking people with disabilities.

Mr Finn said he was bemused by the moves against him.

“I think it’s a very strange way to run a political party,” he said.

“The events of the last couple of days fall firmly into the category of bizarre.”