Liberal Party Set to Decide Fate of Moira Deeming Over Assault Claim

The single sharpest fact

Liberal MP Moira Deeming will face a meeting of the Liberal Party's state executive on Friday, where her candidacy for the No.1 upper house spot in the Metropolitan West region will be decided. She's accused former leader Matthew Guy of assault, but CCTV footage suggests otherwise.

Moira Deeming's history with the Liberal Party

Moira Deeming first came to prominence in March 2023 for attending a Let Women Speak rally on the steps of the Victorian parliament, which was gate-crashed by neo-Nazis. This incident sparked concerns within the party that Deeming could be a liability in the upcoming election. In March 2023, the party leadership team, including John Pesutto, Georgie Crozier, David Southwick, and Matt Bach, met to discuss what to do about Deeming. They feared that if they didn't take action, she would 'blow up' the party months before the election.

The assault claim and CCTV footage

During an event in May, Deeming accused Matthew Guy of assault, claiming he put his arm on her shoulder and 'put her in a headlock.' However, CCTV footage from the event shows an innocuous interaction between the two, with Guy briefly putting his arm on Deeming's shoulder as they leaned forward to hear each other in the crowded room. Victoria Police closed Deeming's complaint without charge.

The Liberal Party's state executive meeting

On Friday, the Liberal Party's state executive will meet to decide whether to remove Deeming's candidacy for the November state election. Deeming will be invited to speak on her own behalf, but the meeting's outcome is far from certain. One Liberal source described the meeting as 'above and beyond' typical protocol.

The Liberal Party's leadership response

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said Victorians are relying on her team to change the direction of the state and that she's determined not to let them down. Shadow Attorney-General James Newbury said the party has taken the right next step by deciding to move on the decision, but declined to comment on his views on Deeming's future.

Deeming has refused to apologise to Guy, despite his requests and Wilson's demand for an apology. The CCTV footage has been widely reported, and it's clear that the Liberal Party's leadership is taking a serious stance on the matter.

What's next for Moira Deeming

After Friday's meeting, Deeming will have one last chance to defend herself before a vote on her candidacy. If she's removed as a candidate, it's unclear what the future holds for her within the Liberal Party. One thing is certain, however: the Liberal Party's leadership will be closely watching the outcome of Friday's meeting to see how it reflects on the party's image.