Thread by @crazyjane13

Back with #DeemingvPesutto.

Collins: the afternoon news on channel 9 on 19/3/23 - still before Pesutto's media release - shows that the narrative has been established.

Now watching the channel 9 report, which is highly political of the Victoria Police's actions at the 18/3/23 rally. #DeemingvPesutto

Collins: it was clear that the narrative was established, and extremely damaging to the Liberal Party. #DeemingvPesutto

Now we move to the leadership team's meeting with Deeming. The recording and transcript makes clear that Deeming is NOT accused of organising for the Nazis to attend. #DeemingvPesutto

At the meeting, Deeming accepted that there was a case to answer in regards to her behaviour and the public perception. #DeemingvPesutto

At the meeting, options were explored that did not involve Deeming's expulsion. From the transcript: Pesutto told Deeming that her language must protect the party at all times. "You can't go to rallies." "You represent all of us." #DeemingvPesutto

The second meeting on that day: Pesutto informed Deeming that "we don't think a statement will work. The damage is deep and a statement won't get us there."

Pesutto told her the leadership team had decided on a motion to expel. #DeemingvPesutto

Collins points out this trial is not about whether the expulsion was justified or "a pile-on". It's not an administrative law claim, it's a defamation case. "That distinction is fundamental".
DeemingvPesutto

The media release goes out at about 8.40pm on 19/3/23.

In it Deeming's organisation and attendance at the rally is mentioned, as is the motion to expel. It's carefully worded that it is about associating with people who are known to have far-right views.

#DeemingvPesutto

The media release does not say Deeming was a Nazi or associated with them, but has been "involved with organising, promoting, and participating in, and attending, a rally with those... who have been publicly associated with far right-wing extremist groups". #DeemingvPesutto

None of this appears in Deeming's list of imputations that form the basis for her case. #DeemingvPesutto

Collins: the media release carries only one imputation: that Deeming's involvement with people who have been publicly associated with far-right extremist groups renders her unfit to be a member of the Liberal Party. #DeemingvPesutto

Collins: the media release was honest opinion based on Pesutto's understanding of the facts, and of significant public interest because of Deeming's situation as a Liberal Party member in a senior position. #DeemingvPesutto

Defence witnesses will be: Pesutto, Southwick, Crozier, Bark, Pinto-Lopez(present at the first meeting), Louise Staley, Woff (sp?) and Johnson (past and present communications directors).
#DeemingvPesutto

Collins: Deeming has repeatedly claimed that "some deal was done" at the party meeting by which she was entitled to "a complete exoneration and a retraction".

The evidence will show this is a complete mischaracterisation. #DeemingvPesutto

Collins: the 27/3/23 meeting "deal" was confined to a statement that Deeming was not a Nazi nor a Nazi sympathiser. Contingent that she acknowledge her error. #DeemingvPesutto

Yesterday, Kim Wells testified that Pesutto's acknowledgement that Deeming was not a Nazi was to be in a letter appended to the minutes.

Nevertheless, Pesutto has publicly stated twice that Deeming is not a Nazi or has Nazi sympathies. #DeemingvPesutto

That's pretty damning. Pesutto publicly did what the compromise motion asked for, contrary to Deeming's claims. #DeemingvPesutto

Collins: Deeming continued to damage her own reputation with false claims that Pesutto had called her a Nazi or Nazi sympathiser - with communications to the media and on social media.
#DeemingvPesutto

Collins: Deeming sent copies of concerns notices to media, sometimes BEFORE they were sent to Pesutto.

#DeemingvPesutto

So it appears Deeming backgrounded media with confidential documents on not one, but TWO occasions.

The draft notes of the party meeting, and the concerns notice from her lawyers to Pesutto.
#DeemingvPesutto

And we are adjourned until 2.15 pm.

Enjoy your lunch, folks, I'll be back with a new thread this afternoon.
#DeemingvPesutto

@threadreaderapp unroll please