Former Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto has condemned those behind a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign as “deplorable,” while urgently trying to raise over $2.3 million to avoid bankruptcy and the potential end of his political career.
In his first television interview since losing a defamation case brought by fellow Liberal MP Moira Deeming, Mr Pesutto admitted there were aspects of the situation he could have handled “differently and better.” However, he insisted he had acted in “good faith” when he moved to expel Ms Deeming following her attendance at a Let Women Speak rally, which was disrupted by neo-Nazis.
“I was always acting in the best interests of the party,” he said, reflecting on the events of March 2023, just weeks into his leadership. He emphasized his commitment to making the Liberal Party inclusive and representative of all Victorians.
Ms Deeming successfully sued Mr Pesutto last year, with the Federal Court awarding her $315,000 in damages, ruling that he had defamed her by portraying her as a Nazi sympathiser. Last week, the court also ordered him to pay over $2.3 million in legal costs—an amount he says he cannot afford.
In response, a fundraising campaign set up by his supporters on GoFundMe has collected nearly $125,000, with contributions from colleagues including MP Georgie Crozier. However, a rival fake fundraiser emerged online, drawing harsh criticism from Mr Pesutto, who has urged the Liberal Party to investigate.
“If people are falsely claiming to represent me, that’s deplorable,” he said.
Facing possible bankruptcy within three weeks, Mr Pesutto acknowledged the severity of the situation. Bankruptcy would make him ineligible to remain in parliament.
“It’s a very big challenge,” he said. “But I’m determined because there’s more I want to achieve for Hawthorn and Victoria.”
He also defended his efforts to resolve the dispute with Ms Deeming, noting that multiple settlement offers and mediations took place.
Despite his recent leadership loss and internal party divisions, Mr Pesutto said he is committed to supporting new Liberal leader Brad Battin and working toward electoral success.
Former premiers Jeff Kennett and Ted Baillieu have publicly supported Mr Pesutto’s fundraising efforts, and he has sought financial help from the influential Cormack Foundation, which is considering his request.
In contrast, Ms Deeming has expressed that Mr Pesutto’s actions felt like a calculated attempt to ruin her personally and professionally. “He’s not the victim,” she said in a statement on social media platform X.
The defamation saga has exposed deep rifts within the Liberal Party between its leadership and conservative members. Mr Pesutto, now out of leadership, remains focused on rebuilding his political future—one step at a time.
