Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has conceded she misunderstood the technical meaning of the term 'headlock' in her assault complaint against colleague Matthew Guy, but she will not apologise for making the allegation.
Deeming reported to police in June that Guy, the opposition's public transport spokesperson, had assaulted her at a Macedonian community event in Sunshine, Melbourne, in May. She alleged Guy placed her in a form of headlock.
Police released CCTV footage of the incident on Thursday and concluded their investigation that evening, stating no offence was detected.
Deeming's Statement Through Lawyer
In a statement released on Monday, Deeming's lawyer, Tim Houweling of Cornerstone Legal, said her complaint was based on her own recollection and she first viewed the CCTV footage after it was released to media. Deeming, who is currently overseas, accepted she misunderstood the technical meaning of 'headlock' but maintained she used the term in good faith to describe what happened.
"Without attributing motive to the other party, our client maintains that from her perspective this physical contact by a senior male colleague in the workplace was unexpected, unwelcome, physically painful and caused her to feel fear and confusion," Houweling said.
Houweling said Deeming would not apologise for making what has been described as a 'false complaint' to Victoria Police. "She will not apologise for something she has not done," he said. Her lawyer added that Deeming categorically rejects any suggestion her complaint was falsely made and considers any such allegation defamatory.
Background and Internal Party Processes
Houweling said Deeming made the complaint only as a last resort after unsuccessful attempts to resolve the incident through the Liberal party's internal processes. "Throughout the process, her intention was to deal with the matter confidentially, appropriately and in the appropriate way, rather than through the media or public commentary," he said.
The incident was exacerbated by Deeming's prior history of being a victim of rape and sexual abuse, and having PTSD from that and from events over the past three years. Deeming will meet with senior Liberals to work towards an internal resolution.
Guy's Response and Calls for Apology
On Friday, a visibly emotional Guy called on Deeming, Premier Jacinta Allan, and Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny to apologise. "My family name, my reputation is not a political toy. No one's is. So I want – and my family deserve – those apologies, particularly from Moira Deeming," he said. "There was no ambiguity. I did not do what was alleged, the CCTV proves this. It did from the start, and Victoria police agree."
Earlier in the week, Kilkenny questioned whether it was appropriate for a member of the Liberal caucus to remain in the party room while subject to a police complaint. Allan later said Kilkenny's questions went to the heart of Liberal party leadership.
Guy claimed the premier's and attorney general's comments told every Victorian male over 40 they don't have your back. "To Aussie males who are sick of this treatment, who are sick of not being believed, some of us in parliament still have your back. I have your back," he said.
On Monday, Allan said she would not apologise to Guy as there was "nothing to apologise for" and Wilson still had questions to answer on the chaos and dysfunction in her Liberal Party party room.
