Controversial new Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming claimed she could secure $100,000 in donations if preselected, thanked a constituent who blamed COVID-19 on abortion and homosexuality, and claimed God “arranged” her preselection.
These details are contained in emails sent from Deeming’s Melton City Council email address, where she served as a councillor from 2020 to 2022.
The emails were obtained through a freedom of information request and were released by advocacy group Sex Work Law Reform Victoria on Monday night.
Deeming, a former teacher, earned notoriety as a councillor and as a state candidate for her anti-transgender views and COVID scepticism.
The emails provide insight into Deeming’s successful attempts for preselection and election to the Victorian Legislative Council.
In a speech contained in her emails, Deeming makes the case that the Liberal Party needed someone who can “attract funding”.
“My work in the media and on council has attracted proven, long term [sic] financial backers who are already known to many in the Liberal Party. To date they have raised almost $1.5 million for the party,” it said.
The speech then includes what it says is an excerpt from a donor’s letter promising to donate a “minimum of $100,000 to the state secretariat” and to pay for printing and distribution — but only if Deeming is preselected.
Other emails highlight the role Deeming’s Christian faith played in her election and time as councillor. In a speech written after her preselection, the future MLC said:
I did not win on merit, I did not win because I was popular in the party, I did not win by being a part of a faction. I won because God arranged it, and because Christians joined up and voted according to their consciences.
A constituent sent Deeming a nine-page email filled with long passages from the Bible, which culminated in a claim that the COVID pandemic was a punishment from God for sinning, and that the solution was to overturn laws allowing abortion, contraception and homosexuality.
Deeming replied: “Thank you. God bless you and help us all to glorify him.”
Deeming’s emails also show the extent of her campaigning against sex work, trans people and sex education.
The then-councillor repeatedly drafted motions and sent emails to council staff about trying to stop transgender women from using women’s bathrooms, organising opposition to rezoning changes to allow sex work within the area, and objecting to youth-outreach programs (including an LGBTQIA+ group) run by youth workers.
“As a mother, a resident and a councillor, I am extremely concerned about the fact that we are having confidential interactions with minors about non-reportable issues — especially about their mental health and SEXUALITY — without parent knowledge or consent? I am unsatisfied that these interactions are safe or appropriate for minors under 16 years,” she wrote.
Deeming’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Yet another dope championed by this sinking party.
That would be the same God that has killed tens of thousands in the Middle East earthquakes?
And the same god that ensures poverty is generational and children go hungry in this land of unequal opportunity!!
Oh wait!! All Australians have access to equal opportunity don’t they? Don’t they???
But they don’t have equal access to equal opportunity.
You’re right. Some are more ‘equal than others’…
Not anymore!
She would wave those victims off as non-believer heretics, ie Muslims.
The Liberal Party has lost whatever respectability they had, if any.
Isn’t Liberal Party and respectability an oxymoron?
Yes, and also via the Russian Orthodox Church, the same ‘God’, has no problems with Putin’s ‘special military operation’! !!
Ergo if Deeming loses at the next election it follows that God arranged that, too…?
No danger of that if she retains the number one place on the Liberal ticket. Not sure what God thinks of PR; he always seemed a first-past-the-post sort of guy to me.
Or possibly if she gets topped by an irate constituent, that’d be “God” at work too?
The proudest thing I have ever said about Australia to an American was “Australia’s government has never changed hands on the ring of a gun”,
I hope it never does, get out get organized and cause her to lose her seat, she needs some humility training.
Another person who thought he was God’s choice for Prime Minimal and best friends with Pompeo the waterboarder, will probably hold the title of Australia’s worst Prime Minister.
If you swallow the American line, “god” is a wholly owned subsidiary of Colt Manufacturing Company…………….
…………and their national pastime is shooting each other (rates better than Football and Basketball).
(I once told an American that the only thing wrong with the USA was that it was full of Americans – he didn’t understand)
Scotty from marketing seems to accept this as his fate, he appears to show no remorse or empathy with what he has done. .
Just the sort of grounded candidate we expect from Rupert’s mob.
Sure beats doing policy development work……or taking responsibility for outcomes.
Come on God, at least be consistent. Why didn’t ScoMo get a guernsey then? And Tone, and that nice Josh guy?
Well he (she/it) is reputed to move in mysterious ways………………..
………….more baffling than mysterious, I’d say.
I have always reckoned that She has a capricious sense of humour. 😉
I lean more towards the “Brain-damage” end of the spectrum………………….