In a surprising turn of events, Victorian MP Moira Deeming has withdrawn her plans to skip a week of parliament in order to attend a contentious conference led by controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson. The decision comes after facing mounting criticism from senior colleagues within the Victorian Liberal party who questioned her priorities.
Deeming Bows to Party Pressure
Moira Deeming had previously organized leave during an upcoming sitting week of the Victorian parliament, shortly after being readmitted to the Liberal party room following a successful leadership spill. However, the revelation that she planned to miss parliamentary duties to attend Peterson’s conference, which aims to “re-lay the foundations of our civilization,” sparked a backlash from fellow MPs.
In an email to Liberal colleagues, upper house whip Chris Crewther confirmed that Deeming had now “adjusted her leave, which was committed to before her readmission to the party room.” New Liberal leader Brad Battin was quoted as saying Deeming changed her plans “in the party’s best interest.”
Colleagues Criticize Priorities
Prior to Deeming’s reversal, upper house MP Georgie Crozier had publicly stated that attending parliament should be the “priority” for all Liberal members. “It is a privilege to have this position as being an MP, and you need to be in parliament to prosecute the case for your party,” Crozier told reporters, putting pressure on Deeming to explain her decision.
I think it’s up to Mrs Deeming to explain why she’s made that decision, but I would say the rest of the Liberal team are getting on with what they need to do.
Georgie Crozier, Victorian MP
Controversial Return to Party Room
The controversy comes just months after Deeming was expelled from the party by former opposition leader John Pesutto in May 2023, following a rally she helped organize that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis. Deeming successfully sued Pesutto for defamation, leading to his downfall as leader and paving the way for her readmission to the party room in December.
Crozier, who was part of Pesutto’s leadership team that pushed to expel Deeming and testified in his defense, lost her position as upper house leader after the spill. She is understood to have opposed Deeming’s return to the Liberal fold.
Peterson’s Controversial Conference
The London conference Deeming planned to attend is being hosted by Jordan Peterson, a polarizing Canadian psychologist known for his controversial views. Organized by the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc), the three-day event purports to “continue the vital work of re-laying the foundations of our civilization.”
Several high-profile Australian conservatives are listed as speakers, including former prime minister Tony Abbott, former deputy PM John Anderson, and former treasurer Peter Costello. However, Deeming’s involvement as a sitting MP drew particular scrutiny.
Maintaining Party Unity
By reversing course on her conference plans, Moira Deeming appears to be making an effort to quell internal dissent and project a more unified front within the Victorian Liberal party. Having only recently regained her position in the party room, the MP likely calculated that the political cost of skipping parliament to attend a contentious event outweighed any potential benefits.
The episode highlights the delicate balance that politicians must strike between their personal interests and allegiances, and their duties and optics as elected representatives. As the Victorian Liberals seek to regroup and mount an effective opposition, minimizing distractions and maintaining cohesion will be crucial priorities for leader Brad Battin going forward.
While Jordan Peterson’s provocative ideas continue to draw both fervent admirers and vehement detractors, Moira Deeming’s withdrawal from his conference underscores the challenges faced by sitting politicians in engaging with polarizing public figures. The reversal, though abrupt, allows Deeming and her party to refocus on their parliamentary obligations and policy agenda, rather than being sidetracked by controversy.
