
Feuds, clown-shows and a neo-Nazi libel: An Australian political party's internecine fights
But it happened in the Australian state of Victoria and involved the opposition Liberal Party. It cost state leader John Pesutto his position and left him owing millions of dollars.
The Victorian Liberals have been busy shooting themselves in the foot for decades in a battle for control between moderates – such as Pesutto – and Christian right-wingers such as MP Moira Deeming.
The latest trouble started in March 2023 when Deeming addressed a rally called Let Women Speak outside the state parliament in Melbourne. The rally, headed by British anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen, was gatecrashed by black-clad supporters who gave Nazi salutes on the parliament's steps.
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Victoria has long been at the centre of neo-Nazi activity in Australia and some of them leapt on the rally's bandwagon, knowing it would get a lot of attention.
Performing a Nazi salute was soon banned, but there were long-term ramifications for the Liberal Party.
Deeming was initially suspended and later expelled from the parliamentary party after threatening to sue Pesutto, saying he had falsely portrayed her as a Nazi sympathiser.
Attempts to get her to drop the case failed and last December federal court judge David O'Callaghan ruled Pesutto had defamed Deeming on several occasions.
The judge found that in an interview with national broadcaster ABC 'the imputation found to be conveyed is that Mrs Deeming knowingly associates or sympathises with neo-Nazis and white supremacists, and is thus unfit to be a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party'.
Deeming was awarded 300,000 Australian dollars (€167,000) in damages. Pesutto was told to pay costs of about two million Australian dollars.
He resigned as party leader while Deeming was reinstated.
Though a well-off man, Pesutto didn't have $2.3 million lying around and was on the verge of bankruptcy until the Liberal Party bailed him out with a $1.5 million loan last month, just days before the deadline for paying his debts.
The party did it for reasons of self-preservation. If Pesutto had become bankrupt then he would have been forced to resign a marginal seat that the Liberals risked losing to their rivals.
Labor has ruled in Victoria for all bar four years since 1999, but with a state debt of $167 billion and the worst youth crime figures since 2009, the Liberals should be a shoo-in to win next year's state election.
But, as seen with the Pesutto-Deeming debacle, the party is far more concerned with internecine disputes between moderates and right-wing Christians.
Victoria is Australia's least religious state, with just 43.8 per cent of its population claiming to be Christian in the 2021 census, while 42.1 per cent said they had no religion.
If Victoria's Christian population were evenly distributed around the state, a party dominated by right-wing Christians might have a winning formula. But that's not the case. While some suburbs have Christian majorities, one district is majority Muslim and others have significant minorities of Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs.
And, of course, Christians are likely to spread their vote.
Brad Battin, who replaced Pesutto as Liberal leader, would like nothing better than to be able to attack Labor on rising crime. As a former police officer, he would be on solid ground.
But he can't get the public and the media to concentrate on Labor's inability to control public order or balance the books when his own side keeps offering a clown-show distraction.
As well as the battle between the right-wing and the moderates for control of the Liberals, Battin's deputy leader Sam Groth was recently revealed to have stayed in what has been called 'plush Melbourne hotels', paid for by taxpayers, after attending high-profile sporting events.
One of Groth's colleagues told the Herald Sun newspaper that 'taking free tickets to events and taking your wife and booking a fancy hotel room in the city won't sit well with the public in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis'.
In the meantime, the Labor Party gets on with ruling a state with increasing debt and rising crime, crossing its fingers and hoping that the Liberals continue to fight among themselves.
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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
See photos of Kerry event attended by businessman Denis O'Brien and host of well-known speakers
The prestigious Lecture took place last Thursday and Friday at the historic cable station on the island. It focused on 'Ireland's Place in the World of 2040'. The event is held each year to commemorate the world's first transatlantic cable, which was laid between Valentia Island and Heart's Content in Newfoundland, Canada. The laying of the cable resulted in the first ever message to be transmitted across the ocean in 1858, from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom to President James Buchanan of the United States of America. This year's edition of the Lecture saw a number of keynote speakers provide a range of perspectives on history, the arts, media, politics, society, technology and business. The speakers included historian Professor Jane Ohlmeyer of Trinity College Dublin, journalist Mick Clifford, Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae, as well as Denis O'Brien. Each of the speakers' presentations were followed by a panel discussion with four of Ireland's 'future leaders', all aged in their 30s - the same age as Cyrus Field when he led the transatlantic cable project in the late 1800s. More than 30 of the future leaders, with expertise in business, politics, academia, media, government, arts and sport, participated in panels. The Irish Ambassador to Canada, John Concannon, also visited the Lecture alongside James Moloney, MP at the House of Commons in Canada. The Canadian Embassy in Dublin was represented at the event by the head of political and public affairs, Mr David Kyffin. A number of Dáil deputies from all over the country and prominent business executives were also in attendance at the event. Kerry Mayor Mike Foley welcomed the guests to Valentia at a gala dinner at the Royal Hotel and Ambassador Concanon delivered a special after-dinner address.


The Irish Sun
19-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Constance Marten moans she's ‘treated like a killer' in jail & brands inmates and lawyers ‘Dementors' from Harry Potter
Constance Marten has complained that she's "treated like a killer" in jail and brands her prosecutors like soul-sucking "Dementors." Posh prisoner Marten, 38, and Mark Gordon, 51, were convicted of gross negligence manslaughter after the death of their baby girl. Advertisement 7 Constance, 38, was convicted of the gross negligent manslaughter of her daughter Victoria today Credit: Central News 7 Her partner Mark Gordon, 51, was also convicted of gross negligent manslaughter Credit: Central News 7 The baby died while the couple lived 'off-grid' in freezing conditions Credit: Central News 7 Constance Marten told police that Victoria had died after she fell asleep while holding her Credit: Central News In a bitter rant to The View Magazine, a publication promoting reform for women in custody, Marten moaned about being 'treated like a killer' in jail. This is despite being found guilty over the death of her baby daughter. Marten and rapist boyfriend Gordon were convicted after their newborn Victoria was found dead in a Lidl shopping bag. Speaking from behind bars, Marten was very critical of her prosecutors and bizarrely told the prison magazine that they reminded her of the soul-sucking creatures in Harry Potter . Advertisement Read more News She said: "It was his voice. I just couldn't bear it anymore. " Tom Little and Joel Smith remind me of Dementors from Harry Potter. " There's no empathy. I felt like . " The 37-year-old aristocrat is locked up in HMP Bronzefield alongside notorious child murderers Advertisement Most read in The Sun She complained about being spoken to like a child and accused legal teams of trying to 'make angels look like devils and devils appear angelic'. Marten added: "They all use this disgusting tone, like they're reprimanding a small child. Aristocrat Constance Marten and her convicted rapist partner have been found guilty of killing their newborn baby "I've heard them laugh and joke with others, but with me, it's always condescending. "I just shut down because no one wants to be spoken to like that. People say, 'Oh, they're just doing their job', but they're not. Advertisement "They're paid to make angels look like devils and devils appear angelic." The mum barely mentioned her daughter, who prosecutors believe died from hypothermia or suffocation in a flimsy tent after the couple went on the run. Marten and Gordon sparked a nationwide manhunt in early 2023 after fleeing with their newborn, desperate to avoid the baby being taken into care like their previous four children. When asked about using pseudonyms while off-grid, she gave the excuse: "The police give people aliases all the time under witness protection. Advertisement " That doesn't make me a liar. I was trying to protect myself and Victoria ." Marten gave birth to Victoria without seeking any medical assistance in early 2022 and kept her "their little secret". The infant had hardly any clothes or "means of keeping or remaining warm". Victoria, who spent 'much of her life' in a Lidl bag for life, was tragically discovered dumped among rubbish in a shed near Brighton. Advertisement A jury found the pair guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after hearing harrowing details of how they ignored warnings and lived 'off-grid'. In a police interview, Marten later said: "I had her in my jacket and I hadn't slept properly in quite a few days and erm, I fell asleep holding her sitting up and she, when I woke up, she wasn't alive." Jurors were told Marten had been warned by social workers about the risk of falling asleep with a baby lying on her and that a tent was unsuitable. Both she and Gordon lost their appeal against the child cruelty convictions and are due to be sentenced in September. Advertisement This comes as... Constance Marten and lover found Chilling footage shows Marten and partner Mark Gordon after they Gordon revealed to be an evil rapist 'Wealthy' Marten and Gordon The A national safeguarding panel is now looking at the case as police have called for new laws to protect unborn children Marten was a former Tatler 'It Girl" and her family had close links to the Royals . But her life spiralled out of control after she and Gordon, 51, met by chance in a North London incense shop in 2014. The couple went off the radar from her friends and family and formed their own self-styled cult living apart from society, with Constance even posing as an Irish traveller when she attended hospital while pregnant. Advertisement Constance also travelled the world and went to festivals including Burning Man and Wireless, saying: 'Dance is my oxygen.' She spent her summer holidays in 2010 working for a film production company in Cairo. One of her colleagues there described her as being 'very decent, nice and friendly' and having 'great potential'. But she added that Constance sometimes chose the Advertisement During the trial, it was revealed that Gordon was convicted of a series of sexual offences - including rape - while living in the US. Gordon, who was 14 at the time, broke into the house of a next door neighbour wearing a nylon stocking over his face and armed with a knife and hedge clippers. He demanded the woman undress and attempted to rape her before carrying out the vile offences in the April 1989 horror. The victim of his crime told Advertisement She said: "The four-and-a-half hours I spent with him was enough to know he is evil." On May 21 the same year, Gordon broke into another home with a shovel and battered a man inside. The fiend was sentenced in the US to 40 years in prison, of which he served 22 years. In 2017, Gordon was convicted of assaulting two female police officers at a maternity unit in Wales. Advertisement Jurors were not told that Gordon was also suspected of a incident of domestic violence in 2019 which left Marten with a shattered spleen. 7 In 2021 a judge ordered her four children should be adopted, shortly before she fell pregnant with Victoria Credit: Central News 7 The couple would carry Victoria around in a Lidl bag after getting rid of their pram Credit: Central News 7 Her arrest came following a 54-day manhunt Credit: Central News Advertisement Timeline of baby 'killing' - how couple evaded cops CONSTANCE Marten and Mark Gordon allegedly sparked a 54-day manhunt across the UK after vanishing with their baby Victoria. Here's how the pair's journey began... December 20, 2022 Marten and Gordon December 24, 2022 The couple claim their baby daughter was born this day but this has been disputed by prosecutors. December 28, 2022 Their Suzuki broke down on the M18 motorway so a recovery driver took them to a nearby Sainsbury's. There was allegedly no sign of the baby but the back and side windows of the car had been blocked by clothing. January 4, 2023 Marten and Gordon checked into the Ibis hotel at the Lymm Services in Cheshire then later the AC Hotel in Manchester. January 5, 2023 The couple's Peugeot 206 catches fire on the M61 motorway in Greater Manchester. Police launch an urgent probe after finding placenta, burner phones and Marten's passport, jurors were told. She and Gordon are taken to a Morrisons store in Bolton by a member of the public before being The couple allegedly use Marten's trust for a taxi to Liverpool, then a Cab driver Ali Yaryar, who picked the couple up from Liverpool, told the court: "I think the baby had no clothes". January 6, 2023 The couple arrive in Harwich and check into a Premier Inn at around 3am. They later move to the Fryatt Hotel, where they paid in cash, it was said. January 7, 2023 Marten and Gordon travel by taxi to Colchester then to East Ham in London. The couple allegedly buy a buggy from Argos then grab another cab to Whitechapel. They ate in a Brick Lane restaurant then dump the new buggy - choosing instead to keep Victoria in a Lidl bag, jurors heard. January 8, 2023 The couple spend £475 on a taxi from Hornsey to Newhaven in East Sussex and walk to the South Downs National Park. January 9, 2023 Both Marten and Gordon claim baby Victoria died on this day - making her 16 days old, the court was told. It is said there is no way of knowing this for sure. January 12, 2023 Marten is captured January 16, 2023 Marten and Gordon are seen setting up a tent in Stanmer Park Nature Reserve in the South Downs despite the cold weather. February 16/17, 2023 The couple are spotted near Hollingbury Golf Course in rural Sussex allegedly pushing a buggy with no baby. Their tent is later seen in Coldean Lane in Brighton A driver sees the pair walking towards Stanmer Park with something under Marten's puffer jacket, the court heard. February 19, 2023 Gordon and Marten are allegedly seen in their tent in the park with a very young baby with a "wobbly" head. Jurors told the baby had no socks, blanket or hat on. February 27, 2023 The couple are arrested in Hollingbury Place in Brighton but do not reveal Victoria's location at first, it is said. March 1, 2023 Tragic Victoria is


Irish Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Fans called for Lions star Maro Itoje to be banned after ugly incident
Maro Itoje will take on the captaincy for the British and Irish Lions in their opening Test against Australia on Saturday. As they kick off their summer series, the England lock will be looked upon to set the tone with his leadership. Despite a loss to Argentina in Dublin prior to heading Down Under, the Lions have since been unbeaten, securing five victories out of five on Australian turf. However, the heat is about to be turned up in Brisbane, where Itoje will need to be on top form. This comes after the Saracens star faced intense scrutiny during the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa. The 30-year-old was lambasted by hordes of Springboks supporters and South African media following an altercation with centre Damian de Allende. In fact, some even called for Itoje's suspension after he was seen on camera kneeling on De Allende's chest, shoulder and neck area. This incident occurred during the second Test in Cape Town, which South Africa clinched 27-9, levelling the series ahead of the final match. Double Rugby World Cup champion De Allende retaliated by tackling Itoje from the ground. He then stood over the England forward and shoved him in the head before Itoje made his own appeal to referee Ben O'Keeffe. Neither player faced any immediate punishment, but that didn't stop the online community from passing judgement on the unfortunate incident. And it seemed that the majority of fans on social media believed Itoje was at fault. There were calls for Itoje to be suspended following his clash with De Allende (Image: Sky Sports) One viewer expressed their concern on X, writing: "[Maro Itoje] should be banned after his knee on De Allende's neck! That's dangerous." Another fan was equally critical, saying: "Itoje also deserved red for this. This is intentional." A third spectator was surprised by the lack of action taken during the game, stating: "Shocked he wasn't thrown out of the game." A Springboks supporter also weighed in, remarking: "Unacceptable! Maro had a terrible game overall, actually. Complaining and moaning." Despite the controversy, Itoje has moved past the incident with stellar performances this summer. As Lions captain, he has been one of Andy Farrell's standout players throughout the warm-up matches, justifying his leadership role. Itoje will captain the British and Irish Lions against Australia (Image:) Itoje found himself on the score sheet in the Lions' emphatic 52-12 victory over Queensland Reds earlier in July. His endurance and high performance levels throughout full matches continue to earn him praise. With a match against Australia at Lang Park on Saturday, he is expected to be a key focus for the Wallabies as they look to exploit any weaknesses in the Lions' strategy. Joe Schmidt, the former Ireland head coach now leading Australia, is well aware of the threat posed by the opposing captain. In the second row, Itoje will team up with Leinster's Joe McCarthy. He is one of four England players in the starting lineup, joining Ellis Genge, Tom Curry, and Tommy Freeman in Farrell's chosen XV. However, it's Itoje's responsibility to avoid getting drawn into trivial disputes that could lead to disciplinary action. Supporters will be hoping that his new role as captain will discourage him from participating in any such altercations.