‘Could have handled that better': Ex-Victorian Liberal leader Pesutto reflects on costly Deeming fallout

West Australian

19-05-2025

Former Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto has spoken publicly about his legal battle with Moira Deeming, admitting on national television he could have handled the situation 'better'.
Mr Pesutto appeared on the ABC's Q&A on Monday night, where he was questioned by audience member Adeline about the treatment of women in the Liberal Party, specifically referencing the Deeming saga.
'Do you think the Liberal Party is haemorrhaging votes due in large part to the lack of empathy and tolerance for female dissenters within the party ranks?' she asked.
'I'm talking specifically about the witch-hunt against Moira Deeming and the lack of accountability you have demonstrated when dealing with female people in your own party.'
Mr Pesutto responded by defending his intentions at the time but admitted there were missteps.
'The issue over which I took action back in March 2023 … was one that was understanding that there are divided views over how we mediate between competing rights when it comes to gender identity and equality before the law,' he said.
Ms Deeming sued Mr Pesutto for defamation and won her Federal Court case in December last year.
Justice O'Callaghan found Mr Pesutto had defamed Ms Deeming in radio interviews, a press conference and in Liberal Party documents by conveying she knowingly associated, or sympathised, with neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
He awarded her $300,000 in damages.
But Mr Pesutto was handed a hefty blow on Friday when Federal Court senior judicial registrar Alison Legge ordered Mr Pesutto to pay $2,308,873 to cover Ms Deeming's legal costs.
Reflecting on the latest development, Mr Pesutto said he was trying to position the Liberal Party as a 'broadbased' movement following a series of election defeats.
'While I was acting in good faith, I do accept now and I acknowledge that I could have handled that better,' he said.
I was early in my leadership. No excuse. But I don't go by a day where I don't think about what I could have done differently or better.
'And I'm better for the reflection. Not happy with the results, but I do accept that I could have handled things a bit better.'
Mr Pesutto said his aim was always to help the party reconnect with the community.
'We keep losing. We keep losing people. And so I'm trying to bring them back to the party. I could have done that better and I accept that.'
NSW Liberal Senator Dave Sharma also weighed in and said he was 'not particularly comfortable' with public figures and politicians suing one another for defamation, warning such cases could have a 'chilling effect' on political debate.
'I think if you're hit with a cost sort of like John has been, that is life-altering and bankrupting,' Mr Sharma said.
He acknowledged the comparison made by Mr Pesutto that prompted outrage among Ms Deeming and her supporters, but said public figures typically have the platform to respond to criticism and that defamation lawsuits between politicians risk becoming battles of financial resources.
Mr Pesutto later spoke about the legal costs, acknowledging the burden but stressing the importance of keeping things in perspective.
'It is true that I have a large legal bill confronting me,' he said, before drawing attention to the everyday hardships faced by Australians from terminal illness and addiction to homelessness and loss.
'I do not under any circumstances want anyone to think that I would ever consider my plight remotely comparable to the real problems,' he said.
'I'll work out my stuff. I'll deal with that … I will always keep doing the work but always keep perspective. I want you all to know we all should be grateful and I certainly am for what I have and I don't ever want anyone to think that I would compare myself to that'.