The Victorian Liberal Party is set to re-run the preselection for the top position on its upper house ticket in the Western Metropolitan Region after the initially successful candidate, Dinesh Gourisetty, withdrew. Gourisetty's withdrawal followed revelations that he had provided a character reference for an individual convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. This development has unfolded amidst broader internal party conflicts, including challenges to the preselection process and ongoing legal disputes involving former leader John Pesutto and incumbent MP Moira Deeming, whom Gourisetty had initially unseated.
Western Metropolitan Preselection and Subsequent Reversal
On Sunday, a preselection ballot was held for the Western Metropolitan Region ahead of the upcoming November state election. Dinesh Gourisetty, a businessman and figure within Melbourne's Indian community, secured the top position, receiving 39 votes. Incumbent MP Moira Deeming received 26 votes, while fellow MP Trung Luu received three votes. Trung Luu retained the second position on the ticket.
Following Gourisetty's initial success, it was revealed that he had provided a character reference in 2024 for Kashyap Patel, who was convicted of grooming, sexually assaulting, and transmitting indecent communications to a 15-year-old girl. Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson subsequently stated that Gourisetty would not be welcome on her team.
In response to mounting pressure, Gourisetty withdrew his candidacy. In a letter, he stated:
"he was unaware Patel would plead guilty at the time of writing the reference, believing Patel was contesting the charges."
However, County Court documents reportedly indicated Gourisetty understood the charges involved child grooming and sexual assault.
The party's State Executive resolved to hold a further preselection convention for the Western Metropolitan Region's top position, with Gourisetty declared ineligible to participate as a candidate.
Preselection Process and Alleged Irregularities
The preselection process faced scrutiny even before Gourisetty's withdrawal. At a Laverton branch meeting held "last month" to elect delegates, supporters of Moira Deeming claimed they received an incorrect address, leading them to arrive late. They reported being denied entry and participation, with the meeting concluding by 5:09pm. One locked-out member described the situation as "a fix." Conversely, three senior Liberal sources stated Deeming's supporters were simply late and their participation would not have altered the outcome.
Prior to the preselection vote, the party removed voting rights from four delegates, citing constitutional justifications related to their employment with MPs. Deeming also lodged a complaint with the party's executive, alleging irregularities in delegate selection, including early voting and insufficient ID checks, but her request to invalidate and re-run ballots was denied.
Vetting Failure and Party Response
The failure to identify Gourisetty's character reference during the candidate vetting process has raised internal concerns. Candidates are required to pay fees (reportedly $3000) for background checks, complete an 18-page questionnaire, undergo interviews, and face external consultancy checks of social media and personal associations. Gourisetty reportedly did not disclose the character reference.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson indicated Gourisetty would not be welcomed into the party room. State President Phil Davis accepted ultimate responsibility for the vetting failure and promised changes to the party's procedures. However, Davis also suggested:
"certain party members intentionally withheld and released this information to cause 'maximum damage' to Gourisetty and the moderate faction, describing the incident as a 'classic political hit'."
The vetting failure has led to calls for Davis's resignation from some state executive members.
Moira Deeming's Background and Party Position
Moira Deeming, first elected in 2022, has been a subject of internal party discussion. Her tenure included attending an anti-trans-rights rally in 2023, which was also attended by neo-Nazis. Deeming condemned the neo-Nazis but maintained her stance on participating in the rally.
She was initially suspended from the parliamentary Liberal Party and later expelled by then-leader John Pesutto after threatening defamation action against him. Deeming subsequently won a defamation case against Pesutto in December 2024, with a court ruling that:
"he had defamed her by implying an association or sympathy with Nazis."
Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million towards Deeming's legal costs, relying on a party-approved $1.55 million loan. The legitimacy of this loan is currently being contested in the Supreme Court by six state executive members. Deeming rejoined the Liberal party room after a leadership change in late 2024 saw Pesutto removed from the top position, though her role was not continued under current leader Jess Wilson.
Deeming had received endorsements from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, media commentator Peta Credlin, and Nyunggai Warren Mundine. A photograph from a 2024 fundraiser showing Deeming with Mick Gatto, a figure identified in some reports as having links to the Melbourne underworld, was circulated by her detractors. Following her initial preselection loss, there was speculation about her possibly joining another party, such as One Nation or the Libertarians, with both parties indicating openness to discussions.
Other Preselection Results
- Eastern Victoria: Renee Heath retained the top spot, fending off a challenge from Sue Smethurst. Concerns were raised by Smethurst's supporters regarding voting processes and a senator's contact with delegates.
- Western Victoria: Bev McArthur retained the No.1 ticket spot, defeating Trent Sullivan, with Graham Watt elected to the second position.
- South-Eastern Metropolitan: Ann-Marie Hermans was assigned the second position on the ticket, behind Phillip Pease, after a challenge from Manju Hanumantharayappa.
Broader Internal Party Dynamics
The events surrounding the Western Metropolitan preselection occur amid ongoing internal conflicts within the Victorian Liberal Party. Party President Phil Davis has warned against adopting policies similar to One Nation, asserting that electoral success is achieved from the political center. He urged factions to reconcile to support Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, who has provided endorsements for all MPs who requested them during the preselection season. Davis also called for unity, stressing the importance of a cohesive board for the party's success. The Supreme Court challenge regarding the loan to John Pesutto remains an active internal dispute.