Moira Deeming support dwindles as former Liberal MP Philip Davis elected as new Liberal Party president

Liberal Party members have shot down Moira Deeming’s chances of returning to the party room, as the new party president warns members not to speak to journalists.

Former Liberal MP Philip Davis has been elected as the next president of the Victorian Liberal Party.

New Victorian Liberal Party president Philip Davis has pledged to weed out treachery and unify the party in a victory describedas a “day of healing”.

But within minutes of his warning to members about keeping the Liberals infighting within the party, members expressed concerns the election result reflected widening divisions.

The former Liberal MP won the presidency by just 11 votes at party’s State Council on Saturday – 422 to 411.

His rival, the party’s federal vice-president Caroline Inge – a previous staffer and friend of former Liberal MP Tim Smith – had campaigned on reserving party funds for election campaigns, rather than private legal battles.

One Liberal source told the Herald Sun many members had Opposition Leader John Pesutto’s looming court battle with independent MP Moira Deeming front of mind at the ballot.

A constitutional amendement that would have allowed Independent Liberal MP Moira Deeming to rejoin the party was shot down at State Council. Photo: Arsineh Houspian.

“This is not a great start for Phil,” he said.

“And it’s not a good sign for John Pesutto that only a handful of people needed to change their vote for it to be a different result.

“I think a lot of members are thinking that it’s a lot easier for this issue to be paid for by John than the party spending it on his behalf.”

Ms Deeming, who was expelled from the parliamentary party earlier this year but remains a Liberal member, appeared at the State Council meeting on Saturday.

At May’s State Council, the Independent MP was backed by a group of supporters, who booed and heckled Mr Pesutto as they held up Moira Deeming masks.

Some members hurled abuse at the leader as they held up Moira Deeming masks, while others chanted “shame, shame, shame”.

But on Saturday the party’s rank and file shot down a constitutional amendment introduced by Ms Deeming’s branch that would have allowed her back into the party room, prompting the MP to walk out.

At the conference, several members expressed concerns over “bad behaviour” and disunity, and feared the party was straying from its values and message.

Another Liberal source told the Herald Sun Mr Davis’ narrow win was “unbelievable”, saying “no one foresaw it being close at all”.

“It shows there is genuine anger at underperforming state MPs,” he said.

He doubted Mr Davis would inspire change in the party, calling him “more of the same”.

“Another former mediocre state MP protecting current mediocre state MPs,” he said.

As Mr Davis thanked his supporters on Saturday, the new president said the central driver of division was disunity.

Liberal Party’s federal vice-president Caroline Inge lost her bid for the top job. Picture: Kym Smith

“The party has been in a very difficult place for a long time,” he said.

“And I’m committed to working with all of you, all of you, to get us out of the hole.”

He gave a stern warning to all members, instructing delegates and the administration committee to stop leaking to journalists.

“In my view, (it) is treachery,” he said.

“You’re not helping the Liberal Party.

“The president is not exempt, employees are not exempt. But we have to be united.”

“I can only change the culture with your help.”

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who received three standing ovations during his speech, said the party had to “heal” and “band together” as he stoked hopes of a Liberal victory at the next election.

“If we can do that with the talent we have, adhering to our values, as I say, standing up for our principles, then we canwin the next election,” he said.

Mr Pesutto will address members on Sunday.

Liberal Party delegates showed their support for Moira Deeming at the party’s May State Council. Picture: David Crosling

Another protest over his handling of the Deeming matter has been proposed for Sunday’s meeting.

It comes after the event was marred in controversy hours before the vote.

Backers of Mr Davis were accused of a flagrant breach of party rules by sending out an SMS how-to-vote card on Friday night.

Under party rules, members are banned from making any public statement about any election at State Council unless expressly permitted by the Constitution.

Members are explicitly banned from circulating or causing to be circulated any material which may influence a vote.

The Herald Sun understands state director Stuart Smith and outgoing president Greg Mirabella were both been made aware of the apparent breach.

It is understood Mr Smith spoke with Mr Davis early on Saturday who has rejected any knowledge of the text.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton used his speech at the state council meeting to stoke hopes of a Liberal victory at the next election. Picture: Martin Ollman

Sources said the text was untraceable because it was sent from an anonymous number headed TEAMDAVIS.

“It is somewhat of an oddity in Victoria that this rule exists,” one source said.

“This sort of material wouldn’t be banned from being circulated in any other state.”

Mr Mirabella, who is hoping to return to the senate, announced his resignation last month.

In an email to members Mr Mirabella said it had been an “honour and a great responsibility” to serve the party.

“This has not been an easy decision, but I do so in the context of my decision to seek preselection on the party’s senate ticket for the next federal election, and my wish to avoid any perception of conflict of interest.”