By LIAM DURKIN
TRARALGON-born John Pesutto’s future as leader of the state opposition is under fire once again, after losing his defamation case against former party room colleague Moira Deeming.
The drawn out saga reached a verdict in federal court last week, with Mr Pesutto ordered to pay Ms Deeming $300,000 in defamation damages.
Justice David O’Callaghan found Mr Pesutto had defamed Ms Deeming on five separate occasions after she spoke at a women’s rights rally on the steps of state Parliament that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis last year.
Justice O’Callaghan said the case was a “shameful state of affairs”.
Pressure had been mounting on Mr Pesutto to resign as party leader while the trial was ongoing, but despite the verdict, said none of his parliamentary colleagues had told him to step down.
“We need better leadership in Victoria. That’s why I have this job. That’s why I intend to continue in this role,” he told reporters in the wake of last Thursday’s decision.
“Now, today’s decision by the federal court is obviously a very disappointing outcome, but I respect the court’s decision.”
Conversely, Ms Deeming said she was “delighted” with the decision.
“Not one Liberal Party value was honoured or furthered in Victoria by this relentless and remorseless campaign to discredit me and all those who stood by me,” she said.
“This should not have come to this, I should not have had to go to court. This could have all been avoided.”
There are now calls for Ms Deeming to be readmitted to the party room, with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott among those in support.
Former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett meanwhile has urged Liberal MPs to back their under siege state leader, who will likely need financial support.
“We’ll have to raise some funds for John to pay for this,” he told The Age.
“He was the leader of the party and if this sort of legal action was to take place on a regular basis no one would stand for Parliament.
“We have got to raise some money to make sure he is not bankrupted.”
The timing of the verdict was rather horrendous for Mr Pesutto, as it occurred on the same day his daughter received her VCE results.
In a whirlwind few weeks, the opposition leader had nudged ahead of Jacinta Allan as preferred Premier only late last month.
However, with the result of the defamation case now confirmed, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University, Dr Zareh Ghazarian believed the saga would surely hinder the Liberals in their bid to win government at the next state election in 2026.
“Politically this is a gift for Labor just as support for the Allan government has been sliding in Victoria,” he said.
“The Coalition appeared to be attracting voters and building momentum towards the next state election. Today, the Liberal Party is once again talking about itself. History suggests that voters shun parties when they appear divided.
“The Liberal Party continues to appear divided, even after 10 years in opposition.
“The Christmas period will allow the party to take some time and evaluate its next steps. With less than two years to go until the next election, the Liberal Party seems to be running out of time to present itself as a coherent and cohesive political force.”
