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Moira Deeming vs. transgender people

Moira Deeming is an Australian politician and anti-transgender activist. In 2023 Deeming and anti-trans extremist Kellie-Jay Keen co-organized a Let Women Speak rally in Melbourne. Deeming has written for anti-trans publications including Spectator Australia and Feminist Current and has appeared on anti-trans shows hosted by Graham Linehan, Brendan O’Neill, and Andrew Doyle.

Background

Moira Deeming was born in 1983 in Timboon, Victoria. Deeming earned a bachelor’s degree from La Trobe University in 2005, then taught for ten years before entering politics.

 According to a submitted biography, Deeming “taught at public and private schools for more than 10 years before leaving to homeschool her children. She saves the government approximately $140,000 per year by educating and caring for her four children at home.”

Deeming ran unsuccessfully in the 2014 and 2018 Victorian state elections. Deeming was elected to the Melton City Council representing Watts Ward in 2020, serving until December 2022. Deeming was elected as a member of the Victorian Legislative Council for the Western Metropolitan Region, assuming office in November 2022.

Anti-trans activism

Deeming started expressing anti-trans views in around 2019.

Deeming claimed “women and girls are suffering in Victoria because this government cannot or will not define what a female is
”

Deeming called the Safe Schools anti-bullying initiative “sleazy” and accused its creators of being “paedophilia apologists,”

In March 2023 Deeming and anti-trans extremist Kellie-Jay Keen co-organized a Let Women Speak rally in Melbourne. Deeming was then suspended from the parliamentary Liberal Party and was then expelled from the party room in May 2023. Deeming then sat as an Independent Liberal.

In December 2024, a Federal Court ruled that then-opposition leader John Pesutto had defamed Deeming, and Deeming was readmitted to the parliamentary Liberal Party. In October 2025, Deeming was promoted to Shadow Assistant Minister for Local Government.

In 2025, Deeming continued efforts to influence policy debate, backing a push to characterize “transgender ideology” as akin to a “cult” in the context of a parliamentary inquiry into coercive practices. Deeming claimed government policies enforcing “unquestioning submission to the most extreme elements of transgender ideology” were worthy of scrutiny under the inquiry’s terms.

References

Brown, Melissa (June 11, 2025). Moira Deeming referred to corruption investigators over John Pesutto offer. ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-12/moira-deeming-john-pesutto-ibac-referral-bankruptcy-proposal/105406352

Willingham, Richard (December 22, 2024). Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto apologises to Moira Deeming, calls new vote. ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-22/john-pesutto-calls-meeting/104755834

Asher, Nicole; Wong, Leanne; Willingham, Richard (December 12, 2024). Moira Deeming wins defamation case against John Pesutto, judge orders $300k in damages. ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-12/john-pesutto-moira-deeming-defamation-verdict-liberal-party/104713592

Sarre, Rick; Livings, Ben (December 12, 2024). Moira Deeming’s defamation win shows nobody can play fast and loose with language – not even politicians. The Conversation https://theconversation.com/moira-deemings-defamation-win-shows-nobody-can-play-fast-and-loose-with-language-not-even-politicians-245837

Schmidt, Nathan (November 20, 2023). Controversial MP Moira Deeming to sue Liberal leader after party expulsion. news.com.au https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/politics/controversial-mp-moira-deeming-to-sue-liberal-leader-after-party-expulsion/news-story/50cc115564d4c2f77d7e0fe7495493fc?amp

Wong, Leanne; Willingham, Richard (May 25, 2023). Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto shrugs off UN official’s comments in defence of Moira Deeming. ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-25/john-pesutto-rejects-un-official-criticism-moira-deeming/102393306

Staff report (March 19, 2023). Liberal MP set to be expelled over role in violent Melbourne anti-trans rally. Seven News https://7news.com.au/news/vic/liberal-mp-moira-deeming-set-to-be-expelled-over-role-in-violent-melbourne-anti-trans-rally–c-10091551

Thomas, Shibu (February 22, 2023). Liberal MP Moira Deeming Uses First Speech To Victorian Parliament To Air Anti-Trans Views. Star Observer https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/liberal-mp-moira-deeming-uses-first-speech-to-victorian-parliament-to-air-anti-trans-views/222059

Anti-trans coverage

Kolovos, Benita (July 18, 2025). Victorian government opposes Moira Deeming-backed push to include ‘transgender ideology’ in cults inquiry. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/18/victoria-transgender-cults-inquiry-moira-deeming-ntwnfb

Staff report (September 18, 2024). Ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming takes to the stand in defamation trial. The Age https://www.theage.com.au/national/ousted-liberal-mp-moira-deeming-takes-to-the-stand-in-defamation-trial-20240918-p5kbo6.html

Ore, Adeshola (September 18, 2024). Moira Deeming ‘determined to be brave’ by attending controversial rally despite safety threats, defamation trial hears. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/18/moira-deeming-defamation-trial-john-pesutto-nazi-rally-claims-ntwnfb

Meehan, Melissa (September 17, 2024). Deeming quizzed about gender views in defamation trial. Northwest Star https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/8765488/deeming-quizzed-about-gender-views-in-defamation-trial/

Ore, Adeshola (September 17, 2024). Moira Deeming agrees her trans and gender-diverse views are ‘controversial’ as cross-examination begins. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/17/moira-deeming-defamation-trial-john-pesutto-nazi-ntwnfb

Smethurst, Annika (September 17, 2024). ‘I’m not a Nazi’: Inside the room where senior Liberals ‘piled on’ Moira Deeming. The Age https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/i-m-not-a-nazi-inside-the-room-where-senior-liberals-piled-on-moira-deeming-20240917-p5kb9r.html

Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Carmody, Broede; Abbott, Lachlan (March 21, 2023). Bid to delay expulsion of Deeming fails as details of Pesutto’s motion revealed. The Age https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/bid-to-delay-expulsion-of-deeming-fails-as-details-of-pesutto-s-motion-revealed-20230321-p5ctvl.html

Kolovos, Benita (March 20, 2023). Moira Deeming vows to fight expulsion push over involvement in protest attended by neo-Nazis. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/20/victorian-opposition-leader-moves-to-expel-mp-involved-in-anti-trans-protest-attended-by-neo-nazis

Snowden, Angelica (April 18, 2023). Suspended Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming battles for ‘sex-based rights.’ The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/suspended-victorian-liberal-mpmoira-deeming-battles-for-sexbased-rights/news-story/2e0a3cd3ff552039c50e1439f35feec6

Ilanbey, Sumeyya (March 22, 2023). Liberals fight for Deeming reprieve as anti-trans rights saga splits party. The Age https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/liberals-fight-for-deeming-reprieve-as-anti-trans-rights-saga-splits-party-20230322-p5cud7.html

Carmody, Broede (February 21, 2023). New Liberal MP uses maiden speech to slam equality ‘taken to extremes.’ The Age https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/new-liberal-mp-uses-maiden-speech-to-slam-equality-taken-to-extremes-20230221-p5cmam.html

Selected writing by Deeming

Deeming, Moira (December 4, 2020). Bigoted Judges Rule Children Can’t Give Informed Consent to Irreversible, Untested, Hormone Treatments. Caldron Pool https://caldronpool.com/bigoted-judges-rule-children-cant-give-informed-consent-to-irreversible-untested-hormone-treatments/

Deeming, Moira (August 20, 2020). The cultural juggernaut of transgender ideology: not kids’ stuff. Spectator Australia https://www.spectator.com.au/2020/08/the-cultural-juggernaut-of-transgender-ideology-not-kids-stuff/

Deeming, Moira (September 13, 2020). Nobody Expected the Transgender Inquisition! Spectator Australia https://www.spectator.com.au/2020/09/nobody-expected-the-transgender-inquisition/

Deeming, Moira (August 20, 2020). ‘Can I Get a Witness’ conference unites rational minds. Feminist Current https://www.feministcurrent.com/2020/08/20/can-i-get-a-witness-conference-unites-rational-minds/

Deeming, Moira (February 8, 2019). Daniel Andrews’ gender agenda suddenly can’t decide if it’s Arthur or Martha. Spectator Australia https://www.spectator.com.au/2019/02/daniel-andrews-gender-agenda-suddenly-cant-decide-if-its-arthur-or-martha/

Media

Spiked / The Brendan O’Neill Show with Brendan O’Neill and Moira Deeming (January 30, 2025). Moira Deeming: I was called a Nazi for defending women’s rights | The Brendan O’Neill Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oMkU2bdYoc

Moira Deeming with Sall Grover (August 12, 2024). Moira Deeming & Sal Grover discuss new Victorian Government Gender Identity campaign (Part 4). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGEgpvFKNIg

Sky News Australia with Peta Credlin and Moira Deeming (December 12, 2024). Peta Credlin sits down with Moira Deeming following defamation victory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbCBoAVPTXc

Moira Deeming with Sall Grover (August 12, 2024). Moira Deeming & Sal Grover discuss new Victorian Government Gender Identity campaign (Part 3). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAkNRZnrYQs

Moira Deeming with Sall Grover (August 12, 2024). Moira Deeming & Sal Grover discuss new Victorian Government Gender Identity campaign (Part 2). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFdY0wdx7sc

Moira Deeming with Sall Grover (August 12, 2024). Moira Deeming & Sal Grover discuss new Victorian Government Gender Identity campaign (Part 1). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcdXrn_Ffvk

GBNews with Andrew Doyle and Moira Deeming (August 12, 2024). Andrew Doyle with Moira Deeming MP (Live in UK). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rShkjy-MYw4 alt url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PNIfL8EAAQ

Moira Deeming MP (June 6, 2024). Gender Responsive Budgeting Bill is nothing but Gender Politics! – Moira Deeming MP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwYQgURgBEM

The Mess We’re In with Graham Linehan, â€œArty Morty,” Helen Staniland, and Moira Deeming (November 2, 2023). Ep. #155: Moira Deeming joins The Mess. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t4r5Umf2A8

Moira Deeming MP (October 4, 2023). 2023-06-01 Medical Gender Affirmation, MDA National Insurance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kfGvdzNGjc

Moira Deeming MP (October 4, 2023). 2023-06-01 Parental Rights vs Social Transitioning at school. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYPgBru3MHc

Moira Deeming MP (October 4, 2023). 2023-08-29 The Erasure of Biological Sex-based Rights in the Law – Question for Minister. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvzyrPwlATo

Moira Deeming MP (October 4, 2023). Moira Deeming MP – War On Women Speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x65mucP9_A

Sky News Australia with Peta Credlin and Moira Deeming (April 18, 2023). ‘This is my party, I’m not going anywhere’: Moira Deeming speaks out in exclusive interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62EwhsRHVD4

Sky News Australia with Peta Credlin (March 27, 2023). Moira Deeming’s speech to Liberal Party brought ‘the room to tears.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DarcOol_pYY

Sky News Australia with Sharri Markson (March 21, 2023). ‘War’ erupts in Victorian Liberal Party over Moira Deeming expulsion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aYhj6Ueooo

Moira Deeming MP (February 24, 2023). 2023-02-21 Moira Deeming MP Full Inaugural Speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxnqs4wRRCk

Resources

Moira Deeming MP (moiradeemingmp.com)

Parliament of Victoria (parliament.vic.gov.au)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

YouTube (youtube.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

IMDb (imdb.com)

Caldron Pool (caldronpool.com)

Feminist Current (feministcurrent.com)

Spectator Australia (spectator.com.au)