Angry Victorian Liberal MPs have lashed out at "terrorist" MPs holding their party "hostage", as unity within the state parliamentary team further deteriorates amid internal attacks on leader John Pesutto.
Key points:
- Anonymous Liberal MPs claim leader John Pesutto bullied a rookie MP in a party room meeting
- Controversial MP Moira Deeming has threatened to sue Mr Pesutto over comments he made about her presence at an anti-trans rights rally
- Supporters of Mr Pesutto have demanded "terrorist" MPs stop undermining the Liberal leader
Exiled Liberal MP Moira Deeming has also issued an ultimatum to Mr Pesutto demanding he publicly exonerate her of being affiliated with Nazis, after she was suspended for nine months over her involvement with an anti-trans rights rally organized by activists Mr Pesutto alleged were associated with the far right.
In her email of demand she said she wanted a media statement from Mr Pesutto by 2pm or he would face legal action. The Opposition Leader has rebuffed the threat.
"I can say categorically that the exoneration that Moira has sought in the email this morning … will not be happening. What was in the motion stands,'' he said.
"Nothing in the dossier ever accused Moira Deeming of being a Nazi or herself having Nazi sympathies."
Senior Liberal MPs have already begun discussing if Ms Deeming should now be expelled from the party room over her threats to sue the leader.
Earlier, Mr Pesutto's allies rallied behind him after allegations from unnamed sources, published in the Herald Sun, that he bullied rookie MP Renee Heath over taking party room minutes from the meeting in March that suspended Ms Deeming.
It was alleged Ms Heath had been reduced to tears, and she later sent an email to all MPs complaining about her treatment. Ms Heath has been contacted for comment.
Loading..."There are three or four terrorists who care more about blowing up the Liberal Party than they do Daniel Andrews,'' frontbencher James Newbury said.
"They are holding the Liberal Party hostage, they need to work out whether they're Liberals or whether they want to sit on the crossbench.
"Everybody has had enough — they need to do the right thing by the Liberal party room, by Liberal voters, and Victorians."
Former leaders back Mr Pesutto
MPs are white hot with rage at what they say is the constant undermining and disunity that has plagued the state parliamentary team, especially during a period where the government's budget is a mess and the Premier faces questions over integrity.
"Having been opposition leader, it's a tough job. I think John Pesutto has displayed the patience of a saint," Shadow Attorney-General Michael O'Brien said.
Former leader Matthew Guy also backed Mr Pesutto.
"There's a couple of terrorists within the parliamentary party who need to work out whether they want to sit with the parliamentary party or not,'' Mr Guy said.
"We're not going to allow John Pesutto to be attacked."
South-West Coast MP Roma Britnell, who was present at the meeting, said she "couldn't believe the reports" she was reading and that "at no time was John discourteous, disrespectful".
Mr Pesutto attempted to refocus on issues dogging the Andrews government at a press conference but it was dominated by the crisis facing his party.
The leader, who has only been in the job since December, defended the use of the term "terrorists", saying it showed the frustration of his colleagues.
"Most people in the party overwhelmingly want the party to be that effective opposition,'' Mr Pesutto said.
"I think anybody who's talking anonymously in this way, would have to think about why are you here? We've got work to do on behalf of the Victorian people."
One Liberal member outside the party room lamented "anyone that thinks the Liberal Party hasn't got further depths to plumb is kidding themself".
Ms Deeming has been contacted for comment.
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2023-05-04 06:11:15Z
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