The Victorian Liberal Party has finalized several key upper house preselection challenges, leading to a revised lineup of candidates for the upcoming state election. In the Western Metropolitan region, incumbent MP Moira Deeming lost her bid for the top ballot spot to Dinesh Gourisetty. Concurrently, Ann-Marie Hermans secured the second position in the South-Eastern Metropolitan region, Renee Heath retained the top spot in Eastern Victoria, and Bev McArthur will lead the Western Victoria ticket.
Western Metropolitan Preselection: Deeming vs. Gourisetty
Dinesh Gourisetty, a business leader described as a figure in Melbourne's Indian community and supported by moderate factions within the party, successfully challenged incumbent MP Moira Deeming for the top position on the Western Metropolitan ticket. Trung Luu, another incumbent MP for the region, secured the second spot. The vote involved approximately 70 individuals, comprising delegates from western suburbs branches, a random pool of metropolitan Melbourne members, and the party executive.
Prior to the vote, Gourisetty expressed confidence. Deeming did not engage with media immediately before or after the outcome. Internal tallies circulated among MPs had indicated Gourisetty was ahead, and Liberal sources suggested he was favored to win.
Despite endorsements for Deeming from figures such as former prime minister Tony Abbott and media commentator Peta Credlin, and a reference from current party leader Jess Wilson describing Deeming as an "articulate and effective advocate" for the party's values, Deeming was not selected for the ticket and did not seek other positions.
Preselection Process Concerns
Deeming lodged a formal complaint with the party's executive regarding alleged irregularities in delegate selection, citing early voting and insufficient identification checks. Her request to invalidate and re-run ballots was denied. Four delegates, reportedly expected to vote for Gourisetty, were disqualified prior to the vote.
Earlier, a meeting of the Laverton branch, intended to elect preselection delegates, became a point of contention. Supporters of Moira Deeming stated they received an incorrect address for the 5pm meeting, causing them to arrive late. They reported arriving at 5:01pm, at which point the presiding officer allegedly stated the doors were being locked and they would not be allowed to participate. The meeting concluded by 5:09pm.
One locked-out party member described the situation as "a fix."
Three senior Liberal sources, conversely, stated that Deeming's supporters were simply late and that their participation would not have altered the preselection outcome.
Moira Deeming's Background and Associated Matters
Moira Deeming's initial selection in 2022 generated public discussion due to her views on issues such as abortion and transgender rights. Her public profile increased following her expulsion from the Liberal party room in 2023. This expulsion occurred after she threatened legal action against then-leader John Pesutto over comments made after her attendance at a 2023 rally, titled "Let Women Speak," which was also attended by neo-Nazis. Deeming condemned the neo-Nazis but maintained her stance on participating in the rally.
Deeming subsequently won a defamation case against Pesutto, with a court ruling in December 2024 that he had defamed her by implying association or sympathy with Nazis. This outcome contributed to Pesutto's loss of leadership in 2024. Deeming was later reinstated to the party room by Pesutto's successor, Brad Battin, though her role was not continued under current leader Jess Wilson. Last year, Deeming reportedly offered to delay bankruptcy proceedings against Pesutto, contingent on guaranteed preselection.
During the preselection period, Deeming's detractors circulated a photograph from a 2024 fundraiser showing her with Mick Gatto, an alleged Melbourne underworld figure. This circulation followed the Coalition's criticism of the government regarding Gatto's alleged influence.
Post-Preselection Speculation
Internal discussions within the Liberal Party had explored the possibility of Deeming joining One Nation if she was unsuccessful in preselection. Her supporters denied she was considering such a move.
A senior Liberal source suggested Deeming's complaints about branch votes might be interpreted as preparation for a potential defection.
Other Key Preselection Outcomes
South-Eastern Metropolitan
Incumbent MP Ann-Marie Hermans secured the second position on the ticket for the South-Eastern Metropolitan region, with Phillip Pease, a former staffer for former MP Matthew Bach, securing the top spot. Hermans retained the second position after a challenge from Manju Hanumantharayappa. In the 2022 election, Hermans was the sole Liberal to secure a seat from the South-Eastern Metropolitan ticket; a second-spot ranking in that election would not have resulted in her election.
Some Liberal MPs and senior figures indicate Hermans is positioned to retain her seat in the next election, with party strategists viewing increased support in Melbourne's south-east as crucial. Hermans previously made a public comparison between former premier Daniel Andrews and Joseph Stalin. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson attended Hermans' preselection event and provided an endorsement.
Eastern Victoria
MP Renee Heath retained the top spot for Eastern Victoria, successfully fending off a challenge from Sue Smethurst. Heath's position had faced scrutiny due to a venue partially owned by her family being used for a One Nation branch meeting. Anonymous sources indicated that Smethurst raised concerns about the voting process, following a delegate's late ineligibility and other delegates not attending.
Supporters of Smethurst also expressed dissatisfaction regarding Senator James Paterson's contact with delegates on Heath's behalf.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson attended Heath's preselection event and provided an endorsement.
Western Victoria
Bev McArthur, a conservative figure who serves as the opposition's upper house leader, won her challenge against former Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan. She will lead the Western Victoria ticket, with Graham Watt in second place.
McArthur stated that the outcome reflected "grassroots democracy."