Victorian Liberal Party's Preselection Plan Unravels in Less Than a Day
For months, moderates within the Victorian Liberal Party orchestrated a strategy to displace conservative women from top positions on the upper house ballot for the November state election. While they failed to move Bev McArthur and Renee Heath, and Ann-Marie Hermans retained her second spot, they achieved a significant victory by ousting Moira Deeming, the most prominent figure in the group. This move was seen as a triumph for small-l Liberals, who believed it signaled a shift toward the political center in progressive Victoria.
A Short-Lived Victory Turns to Embarrassment
The sense of vindication lasted less than twenty-four hours. On Monday morning, an email to the executive committee revealed that Dinesh Gourisetty, who had secured the number one position in the western metropolitan region with support from local branches and moderates, had provided a character reference for a friend convicted of sexually assaulting a child. By that evening, the executive resolved to hold a fresh preselection, ruling Gourisetty ineligible to stand.
This development is a damaging setback for the party under leader Jess Wilson, who has worked to project an image of discipline and unity as a credible alternative government. One Liberal MP, speaking anonymously, called it "incredibly embarrassing," while another expressed frustration but not surprise. A source outside the party room was more blunt, describing the situation as "catastrophically fucked."
Vetting Process Failure and Internal Fallout
Liberal sources have described the timing of the revelation as "diabolical" or a "political masterstroke," designed to inflict maximum damage on the moderate faction. There is consensus that the vetting process, overseen by the Applicant Review Committee, has failed. Candidates typically pay thousands of dollars for preselection, funding external consultants to scrutinize social media, associations, and comments to prevent embarrassments. However, Gourisetty's involvement in a publicly accessible court case went unnoticed.
In response, Wilson has ordered a review of the vetting process by party president Philip Davis and state director Alyson Hannam. She stated, "The situation should not have occurred. We need to learn from what occurred and ensure that we improve our processes." Wilson has largely avoided criticism, as she publicly supported challenging all four sitting MPs.
Candidate Disclosure and Procedural Uncertainties
The party is not solely to blame; candidates complete an 18-page questionnaire and undergo interviews covering topics from past drug use to finances and dating app use. The second-last question asks about involvement in "sensitive or controversial issues" that could arise during a campaign. According to multiple sources, Gourisetty did not disclose the character reference. Sources close to him argued the form lacked a clear relevant question, with committee questioning focusing on a 2019 food safety act breach he pleaded guilty to. The party is now adding a specific question about participation in court cases.
As of Tuesday afternoon, much remains uncertain beyond the decision to hold another preselection convention. The constitutional committee will determine the next steps, likely involving a rerun with all initial candidates except Gourisetty eligible unless they withdraw. The same delegates could vote again, though their attendance and sentiments are unpredictable. It is unclear if new candidates can nominate, and whether delegates would support a new entrant or shift votes to Trung Luu, who received only three votes in the initial ballot.
Calls for Unity and Deeming's Silence
Some members advocate for a cleaner resolution: restoring Deeming to her former position to promote party unity. One supporter of the initial challenge noted, "It would just make all this internal shit go away." Deeming has not commented publicly since the vote and was absent from parliament on Tuesday. Ironically, the moderates' attempt to remove her has once again placed her at the center of the story, highlighting the party's ongoing internal strife and the challenges of maintaining cohesion ahead of the state election.
