Former Liberal MP Moira Deeming has ignited a political firestorm after publicly denouncing Victoria Police as Premier Daniel Andrews's 'personal army', comments made during a critical statewide manhunt for shooting suspect Dezi Freeman.
The controversial remarks, broadcast via social media, have drawn swift and severe condemnation from both sides of politics, with current and former colleagues labelling them 'dangerous' and 'irresponsible'.
A Statement Amid Crisis
Deeming's comments emerged as hundreds of police officers were engaged in a tense, days-long search for Dezi Freeman, who is suspected of a shooting in Melbourne's west. The massive operation involved specialised units, air support, and door-to-door inquiries, creating a state of high alert for residents.
In her now-deleted video, Deeming did not merely criticise police tactics but directly questioned their independence, alleging the force was acting on the personal directives of the Premier. This accusation strikes at the heart of the long-standing principle of the separation of police and executive government power.
Political Backlash and Condemnation
The response was immediate and scathing. Government ministers and opposition figures alike united in their criticism. A spokesperson for Premier Andrews condemned the comments as 'an offensive slur on every police officer working to keep Victorians safe'.
Perhaps most damningly, senior figures within Deeming's own party moved to distance themselves. A Liberal party insider stated such rhetoric 'undermines public confidence in our institutions at a time when community safety should be the absolute priority'.
Context of a Contentious Career
This incident is the latest in a series of controversies for the former MP. Deeming was previously expelled from the parliamentary Liberal party in 2023 following her involvement in an anti-trans rights rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis. Her latest outburst suggests a continued pattern of inflammatory public statements that challenge party lines and provoke intense public debate.
As the manhunt for Freeman concluded, the fallout from Deeming's comments continues, raising serious questions about the impact of incendiary political rhetoric on public trust and the integrity of frontline emergency services.
