Liberal Party members in Victoria have opted not to back conservative MP Moira Deeming at the upcoming state election. Instead, they have thrown their support behind a moderate‑backed candidate, Dinesh Gourisetty.
Gourisetty is a well‑known identity in Melbourne’s growing Indian community, and he will now be the party’s candidate for the Western Metropolitan Region in the state’s Legislative Council.
Deeming, who is well known for her anti‑transgender views, was a first‑term MP after previously serving on the Melton City Council.
Deeming is a first‑term parliamentarian who has used much of her time in parliament to focus on curtailing transgender rights and recognition.
In 2024 she successfully sued the party’s then‑leader John Pesutto for defamation following comments he made about her participation in organising a public event on the steps of Parliament House that featured British provocateur Kellie‑Jay Keen.
Pesutto subsequently resigned as the party’s leader and came close to falling into bankruptcy, which would have made him ineligible to continue in parliament. The party lent him $1.5 million to help pay the associated $2.3 million in legal costs, but that move is now subject to a court challenge from Liberal Party members.
Under Pesutto’s replacement Brad Battin, Deeming was appointed to the role of “leader’s representative for the Western Suburbs,” but new leader Jess Wilson removed the position and opted to leave Deeming on the backbench.
Deeming’s pitch for a second term came with some high‑profile backers, including former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Sky News presenter Peta Credlin.
Victorians will go to the polls on 28 November, where the Labor government led by Jacinta Allan will be seeking to win a fourth consecutive four‑year term.
Following the increased percentage of votes for One Nation in last weekend’s South Australian election, political analysts are predicting that the Pauline Hanson‑led party could fare well in Victoria, where the Labor brand is currently less popular.
There has been speculation that Deeming may switch parties and stand for One Nation now that the Liberals have dropped her.
The Western Metropolitan region is one of eight regions that each elect five members to the state’s upper house. Formerly conservative MP Bernie Finn was the Liberal representative for the region serving from 2006 until 2022 when he was expelled from the party. After a stint as an independent he finished his term as a member of Democratic Labor Party, but failed to be re-elected under their banner.
