Controversial Victorian MP Moira Deeming has provisionally avoided being kicked out of the Liberal Party after giving a strong speech revealing she had been raped and threatened.
Ms Deeming, who represents the Western Metropolitan Region, has been removed from the banquet hall for nine months after appearing at a Let Women Speak rally last weekend that was also attended by neo-Nazis. She said they weren’t invited.
Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto, who had wanted her expelled, said on Monday night Ms Deeming could still be forced out of the party.
“I can say categorically that if the party hall, when it reconsiders this matter…if it sees evidence that there is a discrepancy between what we were assured in written and oral presentations…and what is being posted on social media,, then there will be consequences,” he told ABC’s 7:30 am program.
That followed the revelation 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 that was broken up 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 at the banquet hall, she revealed she had been raped and sexually assaulted as a child, which drove her actions, according to the speech to Sky News presenter Peta Credlin.
“I sense that many of you are confused and annoyed at my persistence in denouncing women’s rights, intersex rights, gay rights, parental rights and safeguards for women and children,” Ms. Deeming told the banquet hall.
“I assure you that the reasons are wholly and utterly based on love and compassion, not bigotry of any kind — and not even religion or conservative politics.
“When I speak on these topics, I speak from personal experience. My life has been repeatedly marred by rape – at my fault – from the age of four.
“I was attacked in public facilities, I was sexually harassed and assaulted by a teacher who later went to prison for having sex with minors.
“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 had survived the Holocaust. Therefore, she said the allegations of Nazi ties to her were untrue and “deeply and personally abusive 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 organized the event, while Ms Deeming was accused of playing a role in ‘organising, promoting and attending’ the event.
The event was disrupted by protesters giving the Heil Hitler salute and clashing with transgender rights activists who had turned up to demonstrate
Members of the opposition gathered in a two-hour ‘marathon’ session on Monday morning to vote on the expulsion motion led by .
Mr Pesutto said Ms Deeming made some “significant concessions” around 6:30 am and “condemned” material in a file that helped change her fate.
But he also added the behavior that deserved “serious consequences.”
“She certainly made it clear to the party room today that she still has a lot to learn about these things,” said Mr. Pesutto.
‘That’s part of the process we’ve put in place. She has convicted the material, which was in the file that we wanted her to convict, and she will accept a sentence or punishment of nine months suspension and losing the whipping position.
“She knows she has a way back, but she also has to earn it. So being a reasonable and sensible person who works with colleagues, I had the unanimous support in the party room to do so. And I think that’s wise.’
A Victorian Liberals insider told NCA NewsWire that Ms Deeming’s hardline stance on social issues is holding back the embattled party from winning more centrist voters.
‘Ultimately, a Member of Parliament is a brand ambassador for a political party. Moira knows that. Instead of focusing on helping the team rebuild the Liberal Party for the modern age, she’s focusing on herself and anyone who blows up with her,” they said.
“If you join the Liberal Party to implement regressive policies such as abolishing abortion or reversing voluntary assisted suicide, then that is not the party for you.
“John and the leadership team are moving in the right direction, they just need their backbenchers to keep their heads together.”
Mr Pesutto went into further detail on 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 still serve her constituents,” he said.
“She will also work in the chamber, she will work with people around her and as a member of parliament, so she will continue to do all of that.”
Deputy Opposition Leader David Southwick, who is Jewish, said the Nazi rally had led to difficult weeks for his constituents in recent weeks.
“There’s no question that what we’re seeing over the past week or so has been deeply hurtful to all communities, especially my community, and that was certainly part of the discussion,” Mr Southwick said.
“But for the most part I think you have to take people at their face value… To me, a real part of everything is getting people to admit their mistakes and giving them a chance to make amends. And I think that’s what it is.
“We have to give Moira that chance to make it right. Let’s see what nine months bring, but it’s a big decision. It’s a decision we didn’t take lightly. John has shown real leadership that he has listened and he has given his colleagues the benefit of the doubt.”
A similar vote last week to postpone Ms Deeming’s eviction motion was lost 18-11.
An earlier vote to evict Ms Deeming was unsuccessful by 18 against and 11 in favour
In an email reportedly sent to party colleagues on Sunday, Ms Deeming said she was “guilty by varying degrees of association” but reiterated her wish not to be impeached.
“I respectfully write to ask you to vote against the motion to expel me from the Liberal Party parliamentary team because I am innocent of these allegations,” Ms Deeming said.
“I’m a brand new MP and I deserve the chance to learn from this and because guilt through varying degrees of association is not a norm that any of us can avoid crossing.”
“I want you all to know that I have learned many painful lessons from this experience and deeply regret the problems this has caused for my state and federal colleagues and wider party membership.
“And also that my offer to publicly support the current leadership team if the vote to exclude me fails is still valid.”
Earlier this month, Ms Deeming’s inaugural speech focused on inclusive measures, including trans women in women-only dressing rooms, and called on the government to reinstate gender-based rights into law.
She also went on to say ‘what most women would consider sexual harassment and indecent exposure is now legal in Victoria’.
“Surely there must be ways to ensure the safety and dignity of transgender people that do not violate the rights of women and girls,” she said.
Ms Deeming also targeted efforts to expand Victoria’s sex work laws, saying that “human newborn babies and children up to 18 months old are allowed on the premises” of brothels.
She was previously a teacher before leaving the profession due to concerns that the curriculum had “radically changed.”