Moira Deeming’s political career as a Liberal ended after the party leader voted to withdraw her parliamentary nomination in the November state election.
The Liberal Party voted decisively against Ms Deeming on Friday night.
She claimed fellow partygoer Matthew Guy attacked her at a social event in May. Police checked CCTV footage and said no foul play was found.
Ms Deeming refused to apologize, saying she made the accusation in good faith.
Upper House MP Moira Deeming and former Opposition Leader Matthew Guy attended a public event in Melbourne’s western suburbs in May. (Facebook: Matthew Guy)
The party tried to move against her two weeks ago, but Ms Deeming sought an injunction in the Supreme Court – a claim she withdrew this week.
The Liberals rallied around Mr. Guy and were unmoved by her attempts at mediation.
Ms Deeming remains a member of the Liberal Party and a member of the parliamentary team after Friday night’s vote confirmed she will lose her position in the November election.
Three-quarters of the state executive, including Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, had to agree not to approve.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson is a member of the Victorian State Executive for the Liberal Party. (ABC News)
Mr Guy has always maintained his innocence and demanded an apology, which was supported by Ms Wilson.
May’s vision of the interaction showed Mr Guy placing his hand on Ms Deeming’s back while talking at a crowded event.
In a 12-page statement from the state executive earlier this week, Ms. Deeming continued to allege that Mr. Guy “grabbed, restrained and pulled her with force,” which she said caused “pain and suffering.”
She said suspending her for filing a complaint would set a bad precedent.
Ms Deeming has not yet commented on Friday’s decision.
After the meeting, a Liberal statement said the party wished to “thank Moira for her service.”
“The Liberal Party considers this issue resolved,” the statement said.
Ms Wilson issued a similar statement, saying the matter was now resolved and her focus remained on the November election.
Consider flags as a possible bankruptcy
Ms Deeming specifically flagged the possibility of bankruptcy, ABC reported on Thursday.
In a letter to the Liberal state leader, Ms Deeming wrote she was “facing bankruptcy in excess of $1.55 million in legal fees that the Federal Court has ordered me to pay to the former Liberal leader.”
Declaring bankruptcy would lead to her expulsion from parliament.
NSW businessman Hilton Grujon is seeking compensation for funding Ms Deeming’s successful libel claim against former Opposition leader John Pesutto earlier this term.
Ms Deeming has failed to repay Mr Grujen’s loan while the Liberal Party’s loan to Mr Pesutto, who was ordered to pay her legal costs, remains in court.
“I hope that after all this she never gets involved with the Victorian Liberal Party again, for both her sake and her family’s,” Mr Grujen said in a statement to the ABC.
Last year, the Liberal Party agreed to give Mr. Pesutto a $1.55 million loan to ensure he could pay its fees, sparing Mr. Pesutto bankruptcy and a by-election for his marginal seat.
NSW developer Hilton Grugeon has provided Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming with a loan to fund her libel proceedings. (Delivered)
But a splinter group of current and former party executive members challenged the loan in the Supreme Court.
The party’s loan to Mr Pesutto is held in a trust account held by Ms Deeming’s lawyers, while the case remains pending in court.
Grujen expressed the hope that Mrs. Deeming was disapproved of as he felt she had been mistreated by the Party and that his actions should not be interpreted as hostility towards her.
He said his loan to Mrs Deeming was mired in the Victorian Liberal struggle and if his actions led to her bankruptcy, “it would at least help her get rid of everything that got her into this position”.
Grujen said this could lead to immediate liability for Pesutto’s donors.