MELBOURNE — Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming maintains her complaint against fellow MP Matthew Guy regarding an incident at a Macedonian community event in Sunshine, Melbourne, in May. This stance continues despite Victoria Police concluding its investigation with no offence detected and the circulation of CCTV footage of the event on Thursday.

Ms. Deeming, through her lawyer Tim Houweling of Cornerstone Legal, released a statement to media on Monday. Houweling said, "She accepts that she misunderstood the technical meaning of the term 'headlock', but maintains that she used it in good faith to describe what happened." He added, "Our client instructs us to make clear that she categorically rejects any suggestion that her complaint was falsely made and considers any such allegation to be entirely without foundation and highly defamatory." Houweling also stated, "She will not apologise for something she has not done."

Houweling said Ms. Deeming's complaint followed unsuccessful attempts to resolve the incident through the Liberal party's internal processes and noted she is currently overseas.

Mr. Guy, the opposition's public transport spokesperson, called for an apology on Friday from Ms. Deeming, Premier Jacinta Allan, and Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny. He said, "My family name, my reputation is not a political toy." Guy added, "No one's is." He continued, "So I want – and my family deserve – those apologies, particularly from Moira Deeming." Guy also said, "There was no ambiguity," and stated, "I did not do what was alleged, the CCTV proves this."

Premier Allan stated on Monday that she would not apologize to Mr. Guy, asserting there was nothing to apologize for. Ms. Allan also commented on questions regarding the Liberal Party party room.

Why It Matters

The dispute between the two Victorian Liberal MPs involves legal interpretations and party governance, with both sides calling for accountability. The anticipated meeting between Moira Deeming and senior Liberals indicates a continued effort to address the matter internally.