politics
Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming Secures Top Spot on Upper House Ticket After Preselection Dispute
Moira Deeming, a state upper house MP for the Victorian Liberals, has secured the top position on the party's ticket for the upcoming election after running unopposed. She had previously been dropped during a preselection challenge. Separately, federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen has called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions.
Apr 5, 5:57 PM·2m read1 source
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Moira Deeming, a member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing the Liberal Party, has been selected as the lead candidate for the party's upper house ticket in the upcoming state election. The preselection process concluded with Deeming running unopposed, positioning her at the top of the ticket.
This development follows an earlier challenge during which she was initially removed from contention.
The Victorian state election is scheduled for November 2026, with upper house seats contested under a proportional representation system. Deeming's placement at the top increases her likelihood of re-election, as the position typically receives the highest preference votes within the party.
The Liberal Party's upper house ticket will cover multiple regions, including Western Metropolitan, where Deeming is based.
Deeming's initial exclusion from the ticket stemmed from internal party disputes during the preselection phase. Preselection processes determine candidate rankings and are often influenced by factional dynamics within the Liberal Party. After the challenge, Deeming's candidacy proceeded without opposition, allowing her to reclaim the lead position.
This outcome affects the Liberal Party's strategy in Victoria, where the upper house plays a key role in passing legislation. The party currently holds a minority position in the Legislative Council, and strong candidate placements could influence the balance of power post-election. Affected stakeholders include party members, voters in metropolitan regions, and potential legislative agendas.
In federal politics, Energy Minister Chris Bowen has urged the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies. The strait, located between Iran and Oman, has faced disruptions due to regional conflicts involving Houthi attacks on vessels. Bowen's statement highlights concerns over energy security and trade impacts on Australia.
