Victorian Opposition Leader Offers Apology to Women’s Rights Activists Following Defamation Settlement
John Pesutto said he never meant to imply that the activists were neo-Nazis.
Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto publicly apologized to two women’s rights advocates after resolving defamation cases with them.
Former Liberal MP Moira Deeming also participated in the event and gave a speech.
However, partway through the event, a group of masked men in black attire crashed the event and made the Nazi salute, prompting the organizers to end the rally early.
Following the incident, Mr. Pesutto swiftly denounced the behavior of the Nazi supporters through a series of comments and later took steps to expel Ms. Deeming from the parliamentary Liberal Party.
The comments led Ms. Keen, Ms. Deeming, and Australian women’s rights activist Angela Jones to initiate defamation proceedings against the state opposition leader in the Federal Court.
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The three claimed that Mr. Pesutto tarnished their reputations by implying they were linked to far-right extremists, notably neo-Nazis.
During the incident, the Liberal leader vowed to vigorously defend himself against all defamation lawsuits.
The Apology
On May 17, Mr. Pesutto released a statement apologizing to Ms. Keen and Ms. Jones, clarifying that he never meant to suggest that the two women’s rights advocates were associated with neo-Nazis.
“It was never my intention to convey that I believed Ms. Keen and Ms. Jones were neo-Nazis, or were affiliated with neo-Nazi organizations.
“If my comments might have been misconstrued to suggest that I held this belief, I apologize for any pain, distress, or harm caused.”
Simultaneously, Mr. Pesutto agreed with the activists on the importance of having constructive discussions on community concerns regarding women’s safety and access to single-sex spaces, services, and sports.
At a subsequent press conference, the Victorian opposition leader attributed the apology to “constructive discussions” with others.
“While I was consulted on the drafting of this statement, it is publicly available for all to see. Those are my words,” he told the media.
“I have not paid any damages. There was a small contribution to cover costs, which is common practice.
“I have also made contributions to the legal defense; others have also made contributions.”
Response from Women’s Rights Activists
In a video on social media, Ms. Keen described Mr. Pesutto’s statement as a “generous” apology.
“I believe this is a significant progress for Australian women in knowing that today, more than yesterday, they are somewhat safer to speak about the unspeakable things happening to them in the name of progress across Australia,” she commented.
“I think this apology will provide women with a bit of comfort, reassuring them that they indeed have the right to discuss this quasi-religious authoritarian cult called transgenderism.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Jones expressed her gratitude to Mr. Pesutto for “setting the record straight.”
Katherine Deves from Alexander Rashidi Lawyers, the solicitor representing the two activists, stated that her clients were content with the resolution.
“They look forward to moving on with their lives and continuing their fight for women’s sex-based rights,” she conveyed in comments obtained by AAP.
Despite settling two defamation cases, Mr. Pesutto still has to address Ms. Deeming’s lawsuit, scheduled to proceed to trial in September.
