“Moira Deeming has lost her spot on the ballot for the Victorian Liberal party at the November state election, after a successful challenge by a moderate-backed candidate.”

“Liberal members gathered at party headquarters in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday for the western metropolitan region convention, where Deeming was defeated by Dinesh Gourisetty, a prominent figure in Melbourne’s fast-growing Indian community.”

“The loss has prompted speculation Deeming may consider a defection to One Nation or the Libertarians.”

“This has been denied by her supporters, but One Nation state president Warren Pickering said on Sunday his party was 'open to discussions' with the upper house MP, whom he called 'courageous'.”

“Trung Luu, the other sitting upper house MP for the western metropolitan region, will retain the second position on the ballot after a failed attempt to secure the top spot.”

“The Liberals should retain two seats in the region at the November election, though there are concerns within the party that it may be competing with One Nation for seats in the traditionally safe Labor territory.”

“Deeming did not nominate for the second position and left the meeting after her defeat. Neither she nor her husband, Andrew, commented.”

“She was among four sitting conservative upper house MPs whose preselections have been challenged.”

“The Liberal leader, Jess Wilson, had backed each sitting MP in the preselection ballots and wrote a reference letter for Deeming, describing her as an 'articulate and effective advocate for our party’s values in a part of Melbourne where people are increasingly interested in voting for change'.”

“Liberal sources said Wilson had also been phoning delegates in support of Deeming as late as Saturday.”

“Deeming also had the support of high-profile conservatives, including the former prime minister Tony Abbott and media commentator Peta Credlin.”

“But Gourisetty was understood to have built strong support across western suburbs branches, while the party’s executive committee אברהם more moderate under president Philip Davis.”

“The vote had 68 participants, with Gourisetty getting 39 votes and Deeming 26.”

“Luu received three votes in the Liberal party's preselection process for the western metropolitan region.”

“Gourisetty's supporters called the result 'historic,' needing endorsement from the Liberal party’s state executive.”

“If elected, Gourisetty would be the first Indian-Australian Liberal MP in Victoria.”

“Kaushaliya Vaghela was elected to the upper house for the Labor party in Victoria in 2018.”

“Gourisetty failed to secure preselection in 2022 due to breaches of the food safety act he pleaded guilty to in 2019.”

“Deeming's preselection caused controversy due to her views on abortion and transgender rights.”

“She was expelled from the Liberal party room in 2023 after threatening legal action against John Pesutto.”

“She won the defamation case, leading to Pesutto losing leadership in 2024.”

“She was reappointed by Brad Battin as the leader’s representative to the western suburbs.”

“She complained about irregularities in the delegate selection process, including early voting, lack of ID checks, and ineligible members voting across several branches.”

“She requested the ballots be declared invalid and re-run, but the Liberal party’s executive rejected her request.”

“Four delegates expected to vote for Gourisetty were disqualified from voting on Thursday.”

“A senior Liberal source claimed Deeming’s concerns about branch votes were laying the groundwork for a potential defection.”

“Pickering stated One Nation has a 'well established, professional relationship' with Deeming and 'shared conservative values'.”

“Pickering said Deeming would be 'absolutely gutted' by the result and needed time to process it.”

“Libertarian MP David Limbrick stated that Deeming had been 'treated dreadfully' by the Liberal Party and would consider her options in her own time.”