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

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto speaks to the media at Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 27, 2023. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has publicly apologised to two women’s rights advocates after settling defamation cases with them.

In March 2023, British women’s rights champion Kellie-Jay Keen (also known as Posie Parker) and some local advocates organised a rally called “Let Women Speak” to raise awareness about transgender individuals in sports.

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.

At the time, the Liberal leader said he would vigorously fight all defamation lawsuits.

The Apology

On May 17, Mr. Pesutto issued an apology statement to Ms. Keen and Ms. Jones, saying he never intended to assert that the two women’s rights advocates were neo-Nazis.

“I recognise that there have been times when my comments could have more clearly differentiated between the organisers of the March 18, 2023, Let Women Speak Rally and the neo-Nazis who attended the steps of Parliament House on that day,” he said.

“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.”

The group of Nazi supporters disrupting the Let Women Speak rally is seen in Melbourne, Australia, on March 18, 2023. AAP Image/James Ross

Response from Women’s Rights Activists

In a video on social media, Ms. Keen called Mr. Pesutto’s statement a “magnanimous” apology.

“I graciously accept such an apology,” she said.

“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.”

“I hope we are entering a political climate where women can advocate for the reinstatement of our sex-based human rights, and sex-specific safeguarding, equitably and without misrepresentation or intimidation,” she said in a post on X.

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.