Liberal MP Moira Deeming survives eviction request after attending ‘Let Women Speak’ rally

Controversial Victorian MP Moira Deeming has avoided being kicked out of the Liberal Party for the time being after delivering a powerful speech revealing she had been raped and faced threats.

Ms Deeming, who represents the western metropolitan area, was removed from the party room for nine months after appearing at a Let Women Speak rally also attended by neo-Nazis last weekend. She said they were not invited.

Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto, who wanted her expelled from the party, said Monday night Ms Deeming could still be forced out of the party.

“I can say categorically, if the party hall reconsiders this matter … if it sees evidence that there is a difference between what we have been assured in written and oral presentations … and what is published on social media, then there will be consequences,” he told ABC’s 7.30 program.

That followed the revelation, which she later tweeted to a rally organizer: “Don’t worry I never judged you, or KD or KJ.”

Liberal MP Cat Deeming (centre) has been suspended for nine months after appearing at an anti-trans rights rally destroyed by neo-Nazis but not kicked out of the party

Ms. Deeming at the event with outspoken anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen

In a speech outside the party room, she revealed she was raped and sexually assaulted as a child, which drove her actions, according to the speech to Sky News presenter Peta Credlin.

“I find that many of you are confused and upset because I continue to stand up for women’s rights, intersex rights, gay rights, parental rights and protections for women and children,” Ms Deeming told the party room.

“I assure you that the reasons are wholly and entirely based on love and compassion, not on any kind of bigotry – and not even on religion or conservative politics.

“When I speak about these issues, I speak from personal experience. My life has been repeatedly overshadowed by rape—by myself—from the age of four.

“I was assaulted in public places, I was sexually harassed and assaulted by a teacher who later went to prison for having sex with a minor.

“I am driven by the desire to ensure that other children and women do not suffer as I do.”

She said her uncle, who helped raise her, was Jewish and a Holocaust survivor, which is why she said the claims that she had Nazi ties were false and “deeply and personally offensive and hurtful.”

“These allegations against me of Nazism and hatred of the trans community are 100 percent false, but people will believe them if you support this motion to expel me.”

British anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen had hosted the event, while Ms Deeming was accused of playing a role in “organising, promoting and participating”.

The event was vandalized by protesters who performed the Heil Hitler salute and clashed with transgender rights activists who had turned up for the demonstration

Opposition members met in a two-hour “marathon” session Monday morning to discuss the .

Mr Pesutto said Ms Deeming made some “important concessions” around 6.30am and “condemned” material in a dossier that helped change her fate.

But he also added that the behavior deserved “serious consequences.”

“She made it clear in the party room today that she still has a lot to learn on these things,” said Mr. Pesutto.

“It’s part of the process we put in place. She condemned the material that was in the dossier we wanted her to condemn and she will accept a sentence of nine-month ban and loss of the whiplash position.

“She knows she has a way back, but she has to earn it too. So being a sensible and sensible person working with colleagues, I had unanimous support in the party room to do this. And I think that’s a reasonable one.’

A Victorian Liberal insider told NCA NewsWire that Ms Deeming’s tough stance on social issues is preventing the embattled party from winning more centrist voters.

“Ultimately, an MP is a brand ambassador for a political party. Moira knows this. Instead of focusing on helping the team rebuild the Liberal Party for the modern era, she’s focusing on herself and everyone who blows up with her,” they said.

“If you’re joining the Liberal Party to implement regressive policies like repealing abortion or opposing voluntary euthanasia, this isn’t the party for you.

“John and the leadership team are going in the right direction, they just need their backbenchers to duck their heads.”

Mr Pesutto went on to detail what Ms Deeming’s next nine months in Parliament would look like.

“She will not be a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party, but she will continue to serve her constituents,” he said.

“She’s also going to work in the chamber, she’s going to work with people in her field and as MPs, so she’s going to keep doing all of that.”

Deputy Leader of the Opposition David Southwick, who is Jewish, said the Nazi rally had made for a tough past few weeks for his constituents.

“There is no question that what we have seen over the past week or so has been very hurtful to all communities, certainly my community, and that was certainly part of the discussion,” Mr Southwick said.

“But I think, by and large, you have to take people at their face value… To me, a real part of everything is getting people to admit they’re wrong and giving them an opportunity to make it right.” And I think that’s it.

“We have to give Moira the opportunity to do it right. We’ll see what nine months bring, but it’s a big decision. It’s a decision we didn’t take lightly. John demonstrated true leadership by listening and proving that his peers were right when the need arose.’

A similar vote last week to delay Ms Deeming’s motion for expulsion was lost 18-11.

An earlier vote to exclude Ms Deeming was unsuccessful by 18 votes against and 11 in favor

In an email reportedly sent to party colleagues on Sunday, Ms Deeming said she was “guilty by varying degrees of association” but redoubled her desire not to be ousted.

“I am writing respectfully to ask you to vote against the motion to have me expelled from the Liberal Party’s parliamentary team because I am innocent of these charges,” Ms Deeming said.

“I’m a brand new MP and I deserve a chance to learn from this and because guilt at various levels is not a standard any of us can avoid.”

“I want you all to know that I have learned many painful lessons from this experience and that I deeply regret the trouble this has caused my federal and state colleagues and the broader party membership.

“And also that my offer to publicly endorse the current leadership team if the vote to ban me fails still stands.”

Earlier this month, Ms Deeming’s inaugural address targeted inclusive action, including trans women in women-only locker rooms, and called on the government to put gender rights back into law.

She went on to say that “what most women would consider sexual harassment and indecent exposure is now legal in Victoria”.

“Certainly there must be ways to ensure the safety and dignity of trans people that do not trample on the rights of women and girls,” she said.

Ms Deeming also targeted efforts to expand Victoria’s laws on sex work, saying “human newborns and children up to the age of 18 months are allowed on the premises” of brothels.

She was previously a teacher before quitting the profession over fears the curriculum had been “radically changed.”