Internal divisions within the Victorian Liberal Party have resurfaced after upper house MP Moira Deeming lost preselection for the Western Metropolitan Region in a vote held on Sunday.
At the preselection meeting, Deeming was defeated by Dinesh Gourisetty, who is backed by the party’s moderate faction, ending her bid to contest the state election in November. A total of 68 delegates participated, with Gourisetty securing 39 votes, Deeming 26, and fellow incumbent Trung Luu receiving three.
Under current arrangements, Luu will retain second position on the party ticket. The Liberal Party is still expected to win two seats in the region, though concerns remain about potential vote competition from right-wing parties.
Gourisetty has built broad support within the party’s western Melbourne branches. Supporters described his victory as “historic,” noting that, if confirmed, he would become the first Indian-born Liberal MP in Victoria. Analysts say a recent shift toward moderates within the party’s administrative structure was a key factor in the outcome.
Deeming did not comment following the result and did not contest the second position. Her supporters denied speculation she may defect to another party, though One Nation has publicly indicated it is open to engaging with her.
Deeming has previously drawn attention over controversial positions and internal disputes. She was expelled from the parliamentary party in 2023 before successfully pursuing a defamation case, a process that contributed to a leadership change and her eventual return. During the latest preselection process, she also raised concerns about alleged irregularities in voting procedures, including delegate eligibility and ballot arrangements, though these claims were not accepted by the party.