Victorian Liberal MP could be expelled for attendance at Let Women Speak rally

A Victorian Liberal MP could lose her place in the party’s parliamentary room for attending a controversial rally in Melbourne.

Controversial Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming could be booted from the party’s parliamentary room for being present at an anti-trans rally where neo-Nazis were in attendance on the weekend.

Opposition leader John Pesutto announced on Sunday he will move to expel the outspoken MP after she accompanied British anti-trans rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull at Saturday’s Let Women Speak rally.

The event was part of Ms Keen-Minshull – who also goes by the name Posie Parker’s – Australian speaking tour, however it managed to draw large crowds of protesters who clashed over LGBTQI+ rights.

Meanwhile about 30 people from the National Socialist Movement stormed onto the steps of parliament to perform the Nazi salute multiple times.

They were captured wearing all-black attire with some covering their faces with balaclava-like masks and holding a sign that read: “Destroy Paedo Freaks”.

Masked men performed Nazi salutes in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday. Picture: Twitter

Protest groups faced off in front of the Victorian parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

In a statement, Mr Pesutto announced he had met with Ms Deeming on Sunday afternoon to discuss her presence at the rally.

“At our meeting I informed Ms Deeming that I will move a motion at the next party room meeting to expel her as a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party as her position is untenable,” Mr Pesutto said.

The opposition leader went on to explain his decision was not an issue about free speech but rather due to a conflict in both the party and wider community’s values.

“The Liberal Party I joined and which I am now honoured to lead, must strive to represent all Victorians,” he said.

“Regardless of religious faith, race, sexual preference and identity, Victorians everywhere should know that the Liberal Party is inclusive and can be a voice for them.”

British anti-trans campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (right) with Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming (left) at Melbourne's Let Women Speak rally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Pesutto condemned the violent and prejudiced behaviour at Saturday’s event, after Premier Daniel Andrews and Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan criticised the actions of anti-trans activists earlier that day.

“I wish it didn’t have to be said, but clearly it does: Nazis aren’t welcome,” Mr Andrews wrote on Twitter.

“Not on Parliament‘s steps. Not anywhere.

“They were there to say the trans community don‘t deserve rights, safety or dignity.

“That’s what Nazis do. Their evil ideology is to scapegoat minorities – and it’s got no place here.

“And those who stand with them don’t, either.”

But despite the group’s presence, along with their member’s holding up an anti-trans sign at the rally, Ms Deeming claims the bigger picture was overlooked.

“I am so distressed that nobody is listening to or addressing the concerns of women,” she told the Herald Sun.

“Nobody endorsed those Nazis.

“We all condemned them. But nobody listened to what the women actually said.”

Ms Deeming attended the Let Women Speak rally on Saturday. Picture: Sarah Matray

She also added in a livestream video, alongside Ms Keen-Minshull, following the event that she wasn’t aware the neo-Nazi’s were present until they started doing the salute.

“When I was alerted to the fact that there were all these masked men coming towards us … I thought the trans activists had broken through the (police) line and we were about to be attacked,” she said.

“The police, for some reason I do not understand, ushered them in, let them have photos on the steps next to us and instead of pushing them back out the same way they came in, they took them right through the middle of the buffer zone.

“And right as they were in the centre in front of all those cameras they did a Nazi salute and that’s horrifying.”

It’s time to listen to the women speaking.

“When I was alerted to the fact there were all these masked men coming towards us, they were all in black, we couldn’t see their faces, I thought TRAs had broken through…”@deves_katherine@ThePosieParker@[e-mail]/knkxmN1VBW

— Sall Grover (@salltweets) March 18, 2023

The demonstration infuriated Victorians, with many pressuring the state government to place further bans on the display of hate symbols.

As a result, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes announced the Andrews government would fast-track legislation to ban the Nazi salute.

“Victorians have zero tolerance of this behaviour and so do we,” she said on Monday.

“That’s why we’ll expand our nation-leading legislation banning the Nazi Hakenkreuz to include the Nazi salute – because everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and included in Victoria.

“While we wish making these laws wasn’t necessary and it will take some work, we want to be clear – we will always challenge antisemitism, hatred and racism from taking root in Victoria.”

Victoria was the first jurisdiction nationally to ban the Nazi swastika, with those defying the rule up for hefty fines or time behind bars.

The former teacher will learn her fate from Friday as party rules require five days’ notice to be given for a member to be expelled.

Ms Deeming has been contacted for comment.