Liberal Party Federal Women’s Committee calls on John Pesutto to reinstate Moira Deeming

A prominent Liberal Party committee wants John Pesutto to issue a public apology to Moira Deeming and reinstate her as a member of the state parliamentary team.

A prominent Liberal Party committee has hit out at Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto over his handling of the now infamous Moira Deeming affair.

The party’s Federal Women’s Committee on Friday carried a motion calling on Mr Pesutto to issue a public apology and reinstate Mrs Deeming as a member of the state parliamentary team.

The Western Metropolitan upper house MP was last month expelled from the partyroom and now sits on the crossbench as an independent Liberal.

She was expelled after threatening to launch legal proceedings against Mr Pesutto over his campaign to expel her from the party linked her to Nazis.

Liberal Party insiders say consideration has been to a potential leadership challenge, with concerns about John Pesutto’s political judgment cited. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Lawyers for Mrs Deeming have since served multiple concerns notices on Mr Pesutto flagging looming defamation proceedings which could drag on or more than a year if fought in court.

“As the peak Women’s body of the Liberal Party of Australia, the Federal Women’s Committee is concerned by the actions of Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto MP and the actions taken by some members of the Liberal Victorian Parliamentary Team,” the motion said.

“The expulsion of Moira Deeming MLC was without basis. Women have a right to participate in the political process without fear of cancellation.

“The silencing of women has no place in the Liberal Party.

“The Federal Women’s Committee demands the immediate reinstatement of The Honourable member Moira Deeming MLC and a full apology from Opposition Leader Mr John Pesutto MP.”

Mr Pesutto has persistently defended his handling of Mrs Deeming’s expulsion, saying it was necessary as part of his plan to reform the party.

A vote to expel Mrs Deeming was upheld 19 - 11.

Polling released by Resolve this week showed support for the Liberal Party had plummeted, with the party recording a primary vote of just 23 per cent.

The figure compared to 34 per cent at the November election.

Lawyers for Mrs Deeming have served multiple concerns notices on Mr Pesutto. Picture: Arsineh Houspian

Party insiders say consideration has been given in recent weeks to a potential leadership challenge, with concerns about Mr Pesutto’s political judgment cited as a driving factor.

However multiple MPs on Friday dismissed suggestion of any looming threat, citing a broader problem with the Liberal brand than the choice of leader.

All eyes are on the looming Warrandyte by-election, with even Mr Pesutto’s closest allies saying he will be out of the job if the party fail to retain the seat.

The Liberals hold Warrandyte with a 4.2 per cent margin.

A by-election is expected to be held in August or September following the resignation of current member Ryan Smith.

Nine potential candidates will address party members on Sunday in a bid for preselection.

Policy advisor to Mr Smith, Antonietta Di Cosmo, 22, is understood to be a favourite of those close to Mr Pesutto, who has made it clear he wants a woman to be selected.

Some members have raised concern about Ms Di Cosmo’s youth.

Former IPA executive director John Roskam, former KPMG director Sarah Overton and Nicole Werner, who contested the seat of Box Hill in November, are all considered viable selections.

Some Liberals are already talking about Mr Roskam as a future leader of the party.