Victorian Liberal Upper House MPs in Line for Preselection Challenges as Party Members Sound Out Rivals
In a move that could signal significant upheaval within the party, several Victorian Liberal upper house MPs are facing preselection challenges. Moira Deeming and Ann-Marie Hermans are among those set to be tested by senior party members, who have identified potential rivals to back in the lead-up to next November's state election.
Deeming, a long-serving MP, is said to be under threat from Dinesh Gourisetty, a prominent figure in Melbourne's Indian community. Gourisetty has built significant support across the western suburbs branches that make up Deeming's region and is reportedly favored by several local party members.
Hermans, on the other hand, faces a challenge from within her own party. Several names are being sounded out for the No 1 spot on the ticket in Hermans' south-east metropolitan region, including Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy, former Mordialloc candidate Phillip Pease, and Manju Hanumantharayappa, who was narrowly defeated by Labor last year.
The preselection process is set to be fraught with tension as candidates seek to secure backing from party members. Deeming supporters are adamant that their MP will "not go down without a fight," pointing to her successful defamation case against former opposition leader John Pesutto.
Pesutto, whose party loaned him $1.5m to pay for his legal costs, is now seeking to have the debt repaid in court. Gourisetty, who has previously challenged Deeming at preselections and run as a candidate for Tarneit, is reportedly backed by several local party members.
The challenges are likely to be closely watched by Labor, which is also facing its own preselection struggles. Victorian Labor has delayed its upper house preselections as it awaits an outcome on group voting tickets and hashes out its stability deal between factions.
Meanwhile, two potential candidates for the western metropolitan region - Conroy and Smethurst - are said to be being sounded out by party members. The party's executive committee is also rumored to be seeking a more moderate approach under new president Philip Davis.
As the stakes grow higher, the preselection process in Victoria's upper house will likely prove to be a defining moment for the Liberal party. Will Deeming and Hermans emerge unscathed, or will they be forced out of their seats? The outcome is far from certain as the battle for preselection supremacy begins.
In a move that could signal significant upheaval within the party, several Victorian Liberal upper house MPs are facing preselection challenges. Moira Deeming and Ann-Marie Hermans are among those set to be tested by senior party members, who have identified potential rivals to back in the lead-up to next November's state election.
Deeming, a long-serving MP, is said to be under threat from Dinesh Gourisetty, a prominent figure in Melbourne's Indian community. Gourisetty has built significant support across the western suburbs branches that make up Deeming's region and is reportedly favored by several local party members.
Hermans, on the other hand, faces a challenge from within her own party. Several names are being sounded out for the No 1 spot on the ticket in Hermans' south-east metropolitan region, including Frankston mayor Nathan Conroy, former Mordialloc candidate Phillip Pease, and Manju Hanumantharayappa, who was narrowly defeated by Labor last year.
The preselection process is set to be fraught with tension as candidates seek to secure backing from party members. Deeming supporters are adamant that their MP will "not go down without a fight," pointing to her successful defamation case against former opposition leader John Pesutto.
Pesutto, whose party loaned him $1.5m to pay for his legal costs, is now seeking to have the debt repaid in court. Gourisetty, who has previously challenged Deeming at preselections and run as a candidate for Tarneit, is reportedly backed by several local party members.
The challenges are likely to be closely watched by Labor, which is also facing its own preselection struggles. Victorian Labor has delayed its upper house preselections as it awaits an outcome on group voting tickets and hashes out its stability deal between factions.
Meanwhile, two potential candidates for the western metropolitan region - Conroy and Smethurst - are said to be being sounded out by party members. The party's executive committee is also rumored to be seeking a more moderate approach under new president Philip Davis.
As the stakes grow higher, the preselection process in Victoria's upper house will likely prove to be a defining moment for the Liberal party. Will Deeming and Hermans emerge unscathed, or will they be forced out of their seats? The outcome is far from certain as the battle for preselection supremacy begins.
. Like, seriously, can't these people just get along? Moira Deeming and Ann-Marie Hermans are both supposed to be safe ducks, but noooo, party members have to go and stir up trouble in the lead-up to the election. It's all about who's got the most clout and support, not about serving their constituents. And what's with all these potential candidates trying to muscle in on each other? I mean, can't they just work together for once? The Liberal party is already in shambles, now this preselection drama is gonna make it even worse 
. And don't even get me started on the Labor party... they're just as messy over there 
. It's like, who's gonna come out on top when November rolls around?
moira deeming and ann marie hermans are like sitting ducks 
dinesh gourisetty and nathan conroy are gonna give them a run for their money 
i mean who wants to back a losing candidate? 
party members need to think with their heads not just follow the status quo 
maybe philip davies should really shake things up, he's got a chance to unite the party behind a new direction 
. Moira Deeming has been an MP for ages, and she's fought hard to keep hers - let her have a chance to prove herself one last time before scrapping all her hard work 
. And what's up with Dinesh Gourisetty suddenly becoming a threat? Wasn't he just trying to get his foot in the door like everyone else 
?
gotta keep an eye on nathan conroy and philip pease, they could be dark horses for the no 1 spot 
these Victorian Liberal upper house MPs need to sort themselves out already! like moira deeming and ann-marie hermans have been in their seats forever, it's time for some fresh blood in the party. but noooo, they're gonna fight tooth and nail... meanwhile labor is having their own drama with group voting tickets 
. It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out, especially with Labor's own preselection drama going on at the same time 
Moira Deeming has been a rockstar, but if Dinesh Gourisetty can build enough support, she might be in trouble 
nathan conroy, frankston mayor, might just take ann marie hermans spot tho 
but honestly, gotta love the drama 
and hermans is in trouble if nathan conroy gets the nod 4 sure 
party politics r always so funny lol
. With Deeming and Hermans facing preselection challenges, it's clear that the party is in disarray 
. Meanwhile, Ann-Marie Hermans' situation is equally precarious, with several potential challengers circling the wagons 
.
. With Labor facing its own set of challenges, it's crucial for the Liberal party to get their house in order 
. The stakes are high, and only time will tell if Deeming and Hermans can withstand the scrutiny or if they'll be forced out of office 
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