Moira Deeming agrees her trans and gender-diverse views are ‘controversial’ as cross-examination begins

Victorian MP Moira Deeming with barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC outside the federal court in Melbourne. Deeming is suing the state Liberal leader, John Pesutto, for allegedly falsely portraying her as a Nazi sympathiser. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP

Ousted Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming agreed her views on transgender and gender-diverse people were “controversial” within the party, as she began giving evidence in a high-stakes defamation battle.

Deeming is suing the state Liberal leader, John Pesutto, for allegedly falsely portraying her as a Nazi sympathiser after she spoke at the March 2023 “Let Women Speak” rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis. She was expelled from the party less than two months later after initially being suspended.