John Pesutto grilled over donations from ex-premiers to cover legal costs

Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto has been slammed for failing to disclose that three former premiers were pitching in to cover the costs for his legal battle with expelled MP Moira Deeming.

John Pesutto faced a scathing attack from the Allan government after it was revealed three ex-Premiers were helping cover his legal fees . Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A slanging match has erupted at parliament over the disclosure of donations to the legal defence of Opposition Leader John Pesutto.

The Allan government on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Mr Pesutto after the Herald Sun revealed former Liberal Premier’s Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine were helping to fund the current leader’s legal battle with ousted MP Moira Deeming.

Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto was grilled for not disclosing donations towards his legal defence. NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Moira Deeming’s legal battle with John Pesutto will play out at Federal trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Bullard

Leader of the House and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas on Tuesday called on Mr Pesutto to “immediately come clean with Victorians and explain why his million dollar legal defence, funded by private donors, is not a significant conflict of interest”.

“Of course this is not the first time that the Liberal Party has been involved in a fundraising scandal,” she said.

“Mr Pesutto is quick to call out others on matters of transparency, but it’s time that he led by example and came clean with the people of Victoria about his fundraising efforts for a legal case against a member of his own party.”

But Mr Pesutto, who has already publicly vowed to declare all contributions to his legal defence in accordance with parliamentary procedures, fired back at Ms Thomas’ attack.

“This is one of the most incompetent ministers in the government,” he said.

“What concerns me about Mary-Anne Thomas, a bumbling health minister, is that every minute she spends attacking me she’s not looking after Victorian patients.

“When patients suffer, the responsibility for that suffering lies at the feet of Mary-Anne Thomas and Jacinta Allan.”

Three former Liberal Party Victorian Premiers Denis Napthine, Jeff Kennett and Ted Baillieu. have pitched in to cover John Pesutto’s legal fees Picture: David Caird

Ms Thomas, who held a press conference shortly after, returned serve when asked to respond to Mr Pesutto’s comments.

“I was out with the Premier this morning announcing another innovation to the way in which we are delivering healthcare here in the state of Victoria,” she said.

“We were announcing that community pharmacists can now treat a range of common skin conditions. Unfortunately, there is no treatment yet available for thin skin.”

Ms Thomas said she would never seek donations if she was embroiled in a legal fight.