Family First has announced that Moira Deeming will be its lead candidate for the Victorian state election in November.
Deeming was formerly a member of the Liberal Party before becoming an independent in July after the party removed her as its candidate.
Family First national spokesperson Lyle Shelton, a former head of the Australian Christian Lobby and a board member of Binary Australia, welcomed Deeming to the party. Shelton has been announced as a candidate for the New South Wales election in 2027.
“Moira is one of the most courageous parliamentarians in Australia, and her resilience and tenacity make her the best person to fight for the families of western Melbourne,” Shelton said.
“Moira doesn’t back down no matter what is thrown at her and she won’t back down when it comes to standing up for the families of western Melbourne.”
Deeming has also been appointed state leader of Family First’s Victorian branch. She is the party’s first MP in the Victorian Parliament.
The Family First media statement did not include comments from Deeming and supplied only a photograph of Shelton.
A few hours later, Deeming released her own statement, saying the media and other politicians had attempted to end her political career.
“The west needs a local member who lives alongside them and will fight for the rights of parents, women and men, who our society desperately needs.
“Other politicians and the media have tried to end my political career during my first term in Parliament. I won’t turn my back on the west. I won’t leave children vulnerable,” Deeming said.
Deeming first came to prominence as a Melton City councillor, where she focused on policy debates relating to the inclusion and participation of transgender people in public life, including access to sporting clubs and facilities.
Early in her parliamentary term, she helped organise a rally for British activist Kellie-Jay Keen, who campaigns on issues relating to transgender rights. The rally attracted international attention when a neo-Nazi group staged a separate protest adjacent to the women’s event.
Deeming was later removed from the Liberal Party room for several months but successfully sued then-leader John Pesutto for defamation over comments he made to the media regarding her involvement in the rally. She returned to the party room after the court ruling.
Earlier this year, the Liberal Party selected another candidate instead of Deeming for the 2026 election, but she was reinstated after concerns were raised about the replacement candidate.
Her political position became increasingly difficult after she accused Liberal colleague Matthew Guy of assault. Deeming alleged Guy placed her in a “headlock” at a Macedonian community event. CCTV footage later showed Guy placing his hand on Deeming’s shoulder while speaking across one of her staff members. A police investigation found there was no case to answer.
Liberal leader Jess Wilson said she expected Deeming to issue a full apology, but in a statement Deeming’s legal team said she had misunderstood the meaning of the term “headlock” when making her report to police.
The statement also said Deeming experiences PTSD and has a history of trauma.
Deeming declined to issue an apology. The Liberal Party’s state executive subsequently moved to remove her as a candidate for the November election.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also ruled out inviting Deeming to join her party.
