Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has lost her preselection battle for the Western Metropolitan Region, marking a significant shift inside the party ahead of the 2026 state election.
Deeming was defeated by Dinesh Gourisetty at a party convention in Melbourne, ending her bid to retain a position on the Liberal ticket in one of the state’s key battleground regions.
Gourisetty, a businessman and prominent figure in Melbourne’s Indian community, secured strong backing from local branches across the western suburbs, with his win reflecting growing support for more moderate candidates within the party.
The result is a major setback for Deeming, who has been one of the most high-profile and controversial figures in Victorian politics since her election to the upper house in 2022. Her tenure has been marked by internal party conflict, including her expulsion from the Liberal Party room in 2023 following a defamation dispute with former leader John Pesutto, and her reinstatement in late 2024.
Despite backing from prominent conservative figures, including former prime minister Tony Abbott and media commentator Peta Credlin, Deeming was unable to hold off the challenge.
The preselection battle also exposed deep divisions within the Victorian Liberal Party, with tensions between conservative and moderate factions playing out in the lead-up to the vote.
Gourisetty’s victory is being seen as part of a broader shift within the party, as leadership and organisational structures move toward a more moderate direction ahead of the November election.
The Western Metropolitan Region is expected to be a key contest at the next state election, with both major parties targeting growing and diverse communities across Melbourne’s west.
Deeming’s loss also raises questions about her political future, although supporters have downplayed speculation about a potential move to minor parties or the crossbench.
The outcome highlights the ongoing internal reshaping of the Victorian Liberals as they prepare for a critical election year, with candidate selection emerging as a key battleground in defining the party’s direction.
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