Liam McNally
Western Metropolitan MP Moira Deeming may be expelled from the Liberal party, following her involvement in organising a controversial rally on Saturday, March 18.
The rally, Let Women Speak, was hosted by UK anti-trans campaigner Kelly-Jay Keen-Minshull, along with the former Melton councillor, Angie Jones, and Katherine Deves.
The event on Parliament steps sparked counter-protests and required a heavy police presence.
About 30 members of the neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network attended the protests, repeatedly performing the nazi-salute with their faces covered.
Ms Deeming called the neo-nazi display “horrifying” during a post-event stream with other event organisers, who all said they had nothing to do with the attendance of the men.
Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto said in a statement on Sunday he will move to have Ms Deeming expelled from the party at a meeting he expects to take place early next week, his main concern being alleged public ties the organisers themselves have had with “far-right extremists groups including neo-Nazi activists”.
“This is not an issue about free speech but a member of the parliamentary party associating with people whose views are abhorrent to my values, and the values of the Liberal Party and wider community,” he said.
“I know Moira’s not a nazi, but my point is that she’s associating with people who are,” he said.
Since Saturday’s rally, the government has already indicated it will formally ban the Nazi salute, expanding on the swastika-banning Anti-Vilification laws that came into effect last year, which Mr Pesutto has also voiced his support for.
“There needs to be reasonable limitations on free speech, and anything, whether it’s a salute or a symbol that has the potential to incite violence,” he said.
Ms Deeming was contacted for comment.
