Moira Deeming expelled for alleged neo-Nazi links

In Australia, Moira Deeming, an expelled member of the Liberal Party, has won a defamation case against John Pesutto, the leader of the Victorian Liberal party. After a lengthy court trial, which spanned over three weeks, Justice David O'Callaghan ruled that Pesutto had made defamatory statements about Deeming, alleging her association with neo-Nazis after a controversial rally in March 2023. The court found that Pesutto's public comments had caused significant harm to Deeming’s reputation. As a result, Pikutto has been ordered to pay Deeming $300,000 in damages. The case arose from comments made by Pesutto following the Let Women Speak rally, which Deeming helped organize. The event, advocating for women's rights regarding transgender individuals, was gatecrashed by individuals dressed in black who performed Nazi salutes. Following the event, Deeming faced significant backlash and was expelled from the Liberal Party, leading to increased scrutiny of her actions. Justice O'Callaghan's judgment highlighted the profound impact of Pesutto's statements on Deeming's reputation, as well as the political motivations behind his media blitz to disassociate the party from her. The trial revealed that Pesutto’s comments were not based on factual evidence but were driven by a desire to protect his leadership credibility amidst a politically charged environment. The judgment also addressed the importance of disclosures in legal proceedings, criticizing Pesutto and his deputy for not revealing a secretly recorded meeting with Deeming during the court hearings. Deeming expressed gratitude for the court's decision, stating it validated her position and indicated that she had done nothing wrong. Following the judgment, there are calls for Pesutto's resignation as multiple party members have suggested that his leadership is now untenable, raising questions about the stability of the Victorian Liberal party in light of this divisive episode.