Moira Deeming staying silent over Liberal Party preselection lifeline

A real estate agent has put his hand up to take Moira Deeming’s seat as her fellow MP Trung Luu withdrew from the shambolic race for the No.1 spot on the Liberal Party’s ticket for the upper house seat representing Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Bobby Lakra nominated for the Western Metropolitan Region seat after the Liberal Party announced it would redo the contest because Deeming’s successor, Dinesh Gourisetty, was thrown off the ticket just a day after his preselection, for providing a character reference in court for a child abuser.

Lakra is also part of Melbourne’s Indian community and shares support from Gourisetty’s grouping, which still holds the numbers among preselectors.

Two sources unable to speak publicly about internal issues confirmed Lakra had nominated. Lakra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Deeming and Luu, who also challenged for the top spot but retained the No.2 position on the ticket in Sunday’s ballot, were already deemed to have nominated in the new preselection contest under the party’s constitution.

But Luu decided to withdraw from the contest on Wednesday to hold on to his existing position.

Others had also nominated on Thursday, ensuring the contest will go to a vote. Stephen Murphy, an ally of Deeming’s who narrowly lost the Werribee byelection for the Liberal Party last year, is also contesting, one source said.

Deeming, who has taken personal leave this week, is yet to declare whether she will still pursue preselection. She has also been the subject of speculation about jumping ship to another party such as One Nation or the Libertarians, though she has not indicated she would do so.

She declined to comment on Thursday.

Members were given just an hour’s notice that nominations were reopening for 36 hours at 11pm on Tuesday, which triggered frustration given the process requires seeking a police check, credit report, 10 signatures from eligible members and filling out a statutory declaration with 97 questions.

Those who put their hand up also need to pay $5000, $3000 of which goes to external consultants to vet candidates, though that process is under review after Monday’s debacle.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson on Thursday repeatedly said the preselection was a matter for the party.

Gourisetty overthrew Deeming on Sunday. But the preselection was embroiled in scandal by Monday morning when the party was alerted to a 2024 County Court reference he made for a friend, Kashyap Patel, who pleaded guilty to grooming and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

Gourisetty condemned Patel’s actions but the party reopened nominations and barred him from recontesting the western suburbs seat.

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