In a dramatic political reversal, Moira Deeming is set to secure the number one position on the Victorian Liberal party's upper house ticket for the western metropolitan region without facing a contested preselection convention. This development comes less than a week after party members voted to oust her from the top spot, highlighting the intense factional conflicts within the party ahead of the November state election.
Chaotic Preselection Process Unfolds
Deeming was originally removed from the top spot on Sunday when Dinesh Gourisetty won the preselection vote. However, Gourisetty's victory was short-lived, as he was deemed ineligible to stand as a candidate due to providing a character reference for a friend convicted of sexually assaulting a child. This prompted the Victorian Liberal party executive to resolve on Monday night to hold a fresh preselection ballot.
Nominations and Withdrawals Reshape the Race
Nominations for the new ballot opened late Tuesday night and closed at midday Thursday. Deeming and fellow upper house MP Trung Luu, who both contested the initial Sunday vote, were automatically considered for endorsement without needing to renominate. Luu subsequently withdrew from the race, stating he acted "in the best interest of the party," and remains in the number two position on the ticket.
Party sources, speaking anonymously, confirmed that three other candidates nominated for the top spot: Tim Beddoe, a former Liberal candidate for Maribyrnong; real estate agent Bobby Lakra; and Steve Murphy, the party's candidate at the Werribee byelection. Lakra was viewed as Deeming's primary challenger, expected to garner support from the same delegate bloc that backed Gourisetty.
Unexpected Twists and Allegations of Foul Play
In another surprising turn, Lakra's nomination was ruled invalid on Thursday afternoon after it was found to lack the required two referral letters, effectively barring him from the contest. A source close to Lakra accused the party executive committee of "intentionally knocking back" his application, claiming he had confirmed with the party before the nomination deadline that all necessary information was provided.
Following Lakra's exclusion, Beddoe withdrew from the race, and Murphy, considered an ally of Deeming, is also expected to step aside. These withdrawals have cleared the path for the party executive to endorse Deeming without conducting a preselection convention, a move sources describe as part of a concerted effort to contain the messy factional war engulfing the party before the election.
Criticism and Scrutiny of the Preselection Process
Several party members have criticised the re-run preselection process as a "stitch up," arguing it was designed to limit new candidates. They were given less than an hour's notice on Tuesday night that nominations would reopen for just 36 hours, creating significant hurdles for potential contenders.
The rigorous preselection requirements include obtaining references from at least two individuals, ten signatures from eligible party members, a national police check, and a credit report. Candidates must also complete an 18-page questionnaire aimed at uncovering potentially embarrassing information, such as past drug use, dating app activity, or visits to brothels or strip clubs. Additionally, a $5,000 application fee is required, with most of the funds allocated to an external consultancy responsible for vetting candidates.
This process is now under review after it failed to flag Gourisetty's character reference, raising questions about its effectiveness and transparency. Deeming, who is currently on personal leave, has not publicly confirmed whether she will pursue preselection, but under party rules, any candidate who nominated for Sunday's ballot and did not withdraw is automatically considered for endorsement. She has declined to comment on the situation.
