The Victorian Liberal Party’s Western Metropolitan Region preselection has plunged deeper into chaos, with businessman Bobby Lakra accusing party headquarters of unfairly knocking him out of the race after first confirming receipt of his application, then rejecting it as incomplete minutes after the deadline passed.
The latest twist adds to a saga that has already left the party battered in Melbourne’s west. What began with Moira Deeming’s defeat by Dinesh Gourishetty quickly spiralled when Gourishetty was later disendorsed over a reference letter, forcing the Liberals to reopen the preselection process for the coveted number one spot.
Now, that reset has produced yet another controversy.
The Australia Today understands Mr Lakra submitted his application at about 11:30 am on 2 April, comfortably before the 12 pm closing time. Party headquarters is understood to have confirmed receipt of what was described as his “complete” application at 11:42 am.
But after applications closed, Mr Lakra received a call from headquarters telling him that two reference letters were allegedly missing and that his nomination would not be considered.
The Australia Today understands Mr Lakra then produced proof to the Liberal Party state director showing he had submitted all required documents. Despite that, he was told within minutes that his application would still be ruled invalid.
In an email sent to the party president, state director and members of the state executive, Mr Lakra has formally demanded a review of the decision, arguing he followed the rules, acted in good faith and should not be excluded over what he says was most likely a technical issue beyond his control.
“I confirm that I submitted my application and ARC documentation within the stipulated timeframe,” Mr Lakra wrote.
He said that immediately after sending his application email, he contacted membership official Lee Elison to ensure it had been received successfully and was told that it had.
Mr Lakra said he was later informed that the two reference letters had not been attached, but argued that if there had been an omission, it was likely due to “a technical or transmission issue” rather than any failure to comply.
He also pointed out that the names and details of both referees were clearly included in the application itself, saying that alone demonstrated his intention to lodge the letters.
“It would not be logical to provide referee details without intending to submit the corresponding reference letters,” he wrote.
In the same email, Mr Lakra directly challenged the fairness of the party’s decision.
“I respectfully submit that disqualifying my application on this basis is disproportionate and inconsistent with the principles of procedural fairness,” he wrote.
“As a member acting in good faith, having submitted my application on time and verified its receipt, I should not be denied the opportunity to participate due to a likely administrative or technical issue outside my control.”
He went further, invoking natural justice and arguing that candidates should be given “a fair and reasonable opportunity to comply”, particularly where the intent to comply is obvious, the issue is technical rather than substantive, and it can be rectified quickly without compromising the process.
“I therefore formally request that my application be deemed valid,” he wrote.
The fallout from Bobby Lakra’s disqualification is now expected to reshape the outcome of the contest, with strong indications that Moira Deeming is set to be reinstated as the Liberal Party’s number one candidate for the Western Metropolitan Region.
Party sources say the collapse of the challenge from the moderate faction has effectively cleared the path for Deeming’s return to the top of the ticket after her earlier defeat.
The Australia Today understands that the remaining two candidates are now likely to withdraw their applications, a move that would leave Deeming unopposed and cement her position heading into the next state election. If confirmed, it would mark a remarkable turnaround in a preselection battle that has swung repeatedly and exposed deep divisions within the party.
This saga is also spreading well beyond the party room. Within Victoria’s large Indian Australian community, the latest episode is being viewed by some as a betrayal, particularly given Mr Lakra’s profile as a prominent businessman and community figure in Melbourne’s west.
Community representatives told The Australia Today they believe the preselection saga is increasingly looking like a process designed to deliver a candidate favoured by the leadership, rather than one genuinely chosen by the party’s rank and file.
That perception is likely to deepen frustration over a contest that was supposed to restore order after the Deeming-Gourishetty disaster, but has instead produced another round of confusion, anger and allegations of unfairness.
For the Victorian Liberals, the Western Metro preselection is no longer just an internal contest. It is fast becoming a public test of credibility, transparency and whether party headquarters is prepared to back grassroots members or override them when it suits.
With Bobby Lakra now fighting to have his nomination reinstated, pressure is mounting on Liberal leadership to explain how a candidate could be told his application was received, only to be dumped after the clock ran out.
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