Pesutto Ordered to Pay $2.3 Million in Defamation Costs, Risks Losing Seat

John Pesutto has been ordered to pay $2.3 million after losing his defamation battle with Moira Deeming over his comments on an anti-trans rights rally.

Former Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto leaves the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne, on Sept. 20, 2024. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

The Victorian Liberal Party faces the prospect of losing a seat and former leader, John Pesutto, if he is bankrupted trying to pay a $2.3 million penalty after losing his defamation case brought by Moria Deeming.

Deeming is a Liberal Party member of the state’s Legislative Council, she filed a defamation case against Pesutto after he made remarks about her attending a women’s rights rally called, “Let Women Speak,” that featured internationally known activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker.