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Liberal Party bails out John Pesutto, agreeing to $1.5m loan
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, JUN 19 – The Victorian Liberal Party loaned $1.55 million to John Pesutto to prevent his bankruptcy and avoid a by-election in his marginal Hawthorn seat, a move endorsed by party president Philip Davis.
- On Thursday evening, the Victorian Liberal Party's administrative committee decided to provide John Pesutto, their former leader, with a $1.55 million loan to clear the debt he owes to MP Moira Deeming.
- Following a Federal Court ruling that found Pesutto defamed Deeming by suggesting links to neo-Nazis, he was ordered to cover $2.3 million in legal expenses owed to her.
- Pesutto faced bankruptcy which could force him out of parliament and trigger a by-election unless the debt was settled by June 27, prompting fundraising and negotiations for party loan support.
- The loan will be repaid by Pesutto with market-rate interest, allowing the party to avoid a by-election in the marginal seat of Hawthorn, as stated by Liberal president Philip Davis.
- The party hopes to end infighting ahead of the November 2026 state election, but internal tensions remain high, with Deeming expressing frustration and Battin urging unity to focus on defeating Labor.
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Victorian Liberals Loan $1.5 Million to Pesutto After Defamation Loss
Former Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto has been granted a $1.55 million (US$970,000) loan from the Victorian Liberals, following a committee decision on June 19. The funds will be paid to Liberal MP Moira Deeming, following her successful defamation case against Pesutto late last year. The Federal Court of Australia ruled on Dec. 12 that Deeming be awarded $315,000 in damages, after she successfully argued that Pesutto had defamed her by r…
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left6Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 17%
R 33%
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