Victorian Opposition Leader Apologises to Women’s Rights Activists After Defamation Settlement

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has publicly apologised to two women’s rights advocates after settling defamation cases with them.
Former Liberal MP Moira Deeming also participated in the event and delivered her speech.
However, halfway through the event, a group of mask-wearing men in black clothing gatecrashed the event and performed the Nazi salute, forcing the organisers to end the rally prematurely.
After the incident, Mr. Pesutto quickly condemned the behaviour of the Nazi supporters with a series of comments and later moved to expel Ms. Deeming from the parliamentary Liberal Party.
The comments caused Ms. Keen, Ms. Deeming, and Australian women’s rights activist Angela Jones to launch defamation proceedings against the state opposition leader in the Federal Court.
The three alleged that Mr. Pesutto damaged their reputations by suggesting they were associated with far-right extremists, including neo-Nazis.
“It has never been my intention to convey that I believed Ms. Keen and Ms. Jones to be neo-Nazis, or that they were members of neo-Nazi groups.
“As far as my comments may have been misunderstood as conveying that I believed this to be the case, I apologise for any hurt, distress, or harm that has occurred.”
At the same time, Mr. Pesutto agreed with the activists that it was justified to have meaningful discussions over community concerns about women’s safety and access to single-sex spaces, services, and sports.
In a later press conference, the Victorian opposition leader said the apology was a result of “reasonable discussions” with others.
“I was consulted on the drafting of this statement but it’s there for everyone to see. They are my words,” he told reporters.
“I have paid no damages. There was a small contribution to costs, which is very normal.
“I have made contributions to the legal defence; others have made contributions as well.”
“I think it is such a fantastic step for Australian women to know that today, more than yesterday, they are a little safer speaking about the unthinkable things that are happening to them in the name of progress throughout Australia,” she said.
“I think what this apology will do is it will give women just a morsel of comfort that actually they do have a right to speak about this quasi-religious authoritarian cult known as transgenderism.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Jones thanked Mr. Pesutto for “setting the record straight.”
Katherine Deves from Alexander Rashidi Lawyers, a solicitor representing the two activists, said her clients were pleased with the outcome.
“They look forward to moving on with their lives and continuing their fight for women’s sex-based rights,” she said in comments obtained by AAP.
Despite settling two defamation cases, Mr. Pesutto still has to deal with Ms. Deeming’s lawsuit, which is set to go on trial in September.