Liberal leader to be saddled with more defamation bouts

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto is refusing to step down from the top job under the weight of mounting legal battles.

British women's activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull said she had instructed her lawyers to file defamation proceedings against Mr Pesutto on Monday.

Ms Keen-Minshull, who also goes by the pseudonym Posie Parker, headlined a rally in March 2023 that was gatecrashed by a group of masked men who performed Nazi salutes.

The Let Women Speak rally was attended by then-Liberal MP Moira Deeming, who is also suing Mr Pesutto after he led a motion to expel her from the parliamentary party. 

Ms Keen-Minshull accused the state Liberal leader of spreading "lies" and making hurtful remarks after the event.

"Ultimately I would like that man to apologise," Ms Keen-Minshull told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull
Women's activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull says she has started legal action against Mr Pesutto.

Angie Jones, one of the organisers of the controversial Let Women Speak rallies, is also expected to file legal action this week.

Mr Pesutto said he was not sure if his legal team had been served the documents and declined to say whether he had ever sought to apologise to any of the women.

"These matters are before the court, I'm just not able to comment," he told reporters on Monday afternoon.

Mr Pesutto said he would not consider standing aside if the three proceedings go to trial.

"If you can get sued out of a job, no one's going to stand for leadership," he said.

"I'm determined to lead a Liberal Party and a coalition (to) win the next election in 2026. 

"Our state needs new leadership. I'm not focused on any litigation. It's with lawyers."

Mr Pesutto's office later released a document outlining contributors to his legal defence.

Former Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu, Denis Napthine and Jeff Kennett were among his donors, as previously reported.

Others included his former director of communications and strategy Nick Johnson, Trina Siwabessy of Kew, The Plant Trust and Bau Agency Pty Ltd Burwood.

The document does not reveal donation amounts.

On Saturday, The Herald Sun reported Mr Pesutto could face a leadership spill as early as Tuesday when the party room meets.

Mr Pesutto shot down suggestions MPs were running the numbers and criticised the "media frenzy".

He was confident a spill motion wasn't in the offing on Tuesday.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store