In short:
Moira Deeming has been removed from the Liberal Party’s Western Metropolitan ticket ahead of the November 2026 state election, replaced by business owner Dinesh Gourisetty. Her potential exit may have other parties calling.
Major Move Set to Shake up Regional Politics
Moira Deeming has been dumped from the Liberal Party’s upper house ticket for the Western Metropolitan Region ahead of November’s state election, in a decision that underscores the party’s ongoing internal tensions.
Party members voted on Sunday 29 March to remove Ms Deeming from the top spot and replace her with business owner Dinesh Gourisetty, a figure with links to the party’s recent leadership through his support and donations to former leader John Pesutto.
The move comes despite Ms Deeming securing backing from senior figures within the party.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson had supported her preselection, alongside high-profile conservatives Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin, highlighting the depth of support she retained within key sections of the Liberal base.
Mr Gourisetty has also built local political connections, including support from Wyndham Mayor Preet Singh, who is widely expected to mount a run for state parliament in Tarneit at the November election.
His elevation to the ticket comes despite a past food safety matter involving a business he owned.
In 2019, he was fined $25,000 by Wyndham City Council after pleading guilty to multiple breaches relating to food handling and cleanliness. Inspections at the time uncovered rat droppings, exposed food stored on floors, and heavy grease and oil build-up in the kitchen.
Ms Deeming, a former Melton councillor, has had a turbulent history with the Liberal Party. She was expelled from the parliamentary party by then leader John Pesutto after he accused her of associating with neo-Nazis, before successfully suing him for defamation.
Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages and was ultimately saved from bankruptcy by members of the Liberal Party.
Following a leadership spill led by Brad Battin in December 2024, Ms Deeming was readmitted to the party room and appointed as the leader’s representative to the western suburbs.
Her removal from the ticket now leaves a high-profile figure without a place in the party’s election line-up.
While she has not commented publicly, her profile and support base are expected to attract interest from parties such as One Nation and The West Party looking to capitalise on her standing among conservative voters.
