Moira Deeming’s lawyer says he does not believe Victoria’s Opposition Leader, John Pesutto, has been genuine in seeking to resolve his dispute with the expelled Victorian Liberal MP, and she will launch action against him in the Federal Court.
Ms Deeming in July gave the obligatory 28 days’ notice of an intention to file in the Federal Court, and can do so any time after Sunday.
The prospect of a messy public court battle comes as Mr Pesutto faces a leadership test in the form of the Warrandyte by-election on Saturday. While Labor is not contesting the seat, any swing against Liberal candidate Nicole Werner is likely to put pressure on the party leader.
Mr Pesutto initially tried to expel Ms Deeming in March, but was forced to resort to suspending her for nine months amid a lack of support from colleagues.
In seeking to make the case against Ms Deeming, Mr Pesutto circulated a 15-page dossier of social media screenshots and media reports, mostly relating to Ms Keen, accusing the MP of “organising, promoting and participating in a rally with speakers and other organisers who have been publicly associated with far right-wing extremist groups including neo-Nazi activists”.
A letter sent to Ms Deeming by Mr Pesutto’s lawyers in June indicates the Liberal leader stands by this dossier and his original expulsion motion and media statements, which will be key to his “truth” defence.
Ms Deeming has repeatedly called on Mr Pesutto to withdraw allegations she has Nazi links
Source: Moira Deeming’s defamation case against John Pesutto is headed to the Federal Court | The Australian