Family First leader praises 'resilient' ex-Liberal Moira Deeming

Former Liberal MP Moira Deeming to run as Family First candidate in Victorian electionPosted Thu 10 Sep 2026 at 9:58amThu 10 Sep 2026 at 9:58am, updated Thu 10 Sep 2026 at 10:19amThu 10 Sep 2026 at 10:19amMoira Deeming will run as a Family First candidate in the coming state election. (ABC News: Leanne Wong)In short:Former Liberal MP Moira Deeming has been named as the Family First candidate for the Western Metropolitan Region in the state election.Mrs Deeming was ousted from the Liberal Party in July, after refusing to apologise to her party room colleague after accusing him of assault.What's next?Victorians head to the polls for the state election on November 28.Former Liberal MP Moira Deeming will contest the November election with Family First, having been cast out of her former party.Mrs Deeming, now a crossbench MP in the upper house, made the announcement this morning alongside Family First national director Lyle Shelton.She was removed as the Liberal Party candidate for the Western Metro Region in July, having refused to apologise to her party room colleague Matthew Guy.Mrs Deeming had accused Mr Guy of putting her in a headlock at a crowded community function.Victoria Police said no offence was detected, after reviewing CCTV which appeared to show he placed his hand on her shoulder mid-conversation.She refused to apologise and was removed as a Liberal candidate. Mrs Deeming then left the Liberal party room.Today Mrs Deeming said she had no regrets and suggested she'd been approached by numerous political parties to contest with.Lyle Shelton called Moira Deeming one of the most courageous parlimentarians in Australia. (ABC News: Leanne Wong)Mr Shelton said Mrs Deeming's "resilience and tenacity" made her the right candidate for the party."Moira doesn't back down no matter what is thrown at her," Mr Shelton said."She won't back down when it comes to standing up for the families of western Melbourne."The Liberal Party selected deputy lord mayor of Melbourne Roshena Campbell as Mrs Deeming's replacement on the ballot last month.