The media reported extensively that Moira Deeming accused Matthew Guy, a fellow Liberal Party member, of assaulting her during a social occasion. Some reports said that Deeming accused Guy of putting her in a headlock. Guy furiously denied the charges. Deeming did not in the least back down.
The Victorian Liberal Party tried to resolve the issue internally. Neither party shifted from their position. Deeming went to the police. After an investigation, crucially viewing the CCTV footage of the incident, the police said no offence had been committed. Guy was vindicated. Nevertheless, Deeming maintains her position and refuses to apologise.
Meanwhile, the disgusting Labor government led by Dan-Andrews-clone Jacinta Allan has beaten up the incident unmercifully, milking it for all its worth. They could scarcely believe that such a juicy incident had been gifted to them to exploit.
Although the CCTV footage (above) of the incident is fuzzy, it is clear what happened. Guy, Deeming and a third person sitting between them are chatting. There’s no sound, but it is abundantly clear that the venue is full of the noise of music, and people chatting and dancing.
At a certain point, Guy leans towards Deeming, who is speaking to him across the person sitting between them. Guy evidently can’t understand what Deeming is saying. He leans further forward, puts his right hand on her left shoulder and seems to draw her a little towards him to hear better. The contact is short. Deeming and Guy resume their original positions. Guy speaks into the ear of the third person, evidently again because of the noise in the hall.
The issue is straightforward, and reasonable people would have resolved it internally. It has not been resolved because of Deeming’s intransigence and overwrought reaction. Guy was a damn fool to put his hand on a woman in the circumstances, but he did no grave wrong. Because of her extremely damaging behaviour, likely to be repeated, the Liberal Party has no choice but to expel Deeming.
It is tragic because Deeming otherwise has demonstrated that she is a true Menzies Liberal in thought. But it is not enough. Party discipline, reliability and stability are crucial for political success.