Lawyers for embattled Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto will argue his claims Moira Deeming associated with Nazi sympathisers at a women’s right rally are “substantially true”, as he prepares to defend himself against a defamation suit from the expelled MP.
A “see you in court” legal letter, exclusively obtained by The Australian, sets the pair up for a costly, public and likely very messy showdown in the Federal Court later this year, as questions persist over how Mr Pesutto will pay his legal bills.
Ms Deeming has issued Mr Pesutto with three defamation concerns notices since first indicating last month she would pursue legal action, alleging the Liberal leader accused her of being a “Nazi sympathiser and Nazi associate”, and used that as a basis to “threaten and bully” her out of the state party room.
Mr Pesutto’s office declined to comment on the letter, or answer questions about how he plans to fund his legal defence.
Earlier this month, the Liberal leader said he was “still working on” funding sources, amid significant internal opposition to party members being asked to foot a bill which could surpass $1 million.
Living in a country where the legal fraternity is increasingly taking on an activist mentality, I hope Moira will not face a judge who ‘believes’ that the soul is gendered and self identification is all ‘trans-women’ need to wander into women’s and girl’s spaces and that anyone who disagrees could well be associated with NAZI’s…