Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto is refusing to step down from the top job under the weight of mounting legal battles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
British women's activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull said she had instructed her lawyers to file defamation proceedings against Mr Pesutto on Monday.
Ms Keen-Minshull, who also goes by the pseudonym Posie Parker, headlined a rally in March 2023 that was gatecrashed by a group of masked men who performed Nazi salutes.
The Let Women Speak rally was attended by then-Liberal MP Moira Deeming, who is also suing Mr Pesutto after he led a motion to expel her from the parliamentary party.
Ms Keen-Minshull accused the state Liberal leader of spreading "lies" and making hurtful remarks after the event.
"Ultimately I would like that man to apologise," Ms Keen-Minshull told Melbourne radio station 3AW.
Angie Jones, one of the organisers of the controversial Let Women Speak rallies, is also expected to file legal action this week.
Mr Pesutto said he was not sure if his legal team had been served the documents and declined to say whether he had ever sought to apologise to any of the women.
"These matters are before the court, I'm just not able to comment," he told reporters on Monday afternoon.
Mr Pesutto said he would not consider standing aside if the three proceedings go to trial.
"If you can get sued out of a job, no one's going to stand for leadership," he said.
"I'm determined to lead a Liberal Party and a coalition (to) win the next election in 2026.
"Our state needs new leadership. I'm not focused on any litigation. It's with lawyers."
Mr Pesutto's office later released a document outlining contributors to his legal defence.
Former Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu, Denis Napthine and Jeff Kennett were among his donors, as previously reported.
Others included his former director of communications and strategy Nick Johnson, Trina Siwabessy of Kew, The Plant Trust and Bau Agency Pty Ltd Burwood.
The document does not reveal donation amounts.
On Saturday, The Herald Sun reported Mr Pesutto could face a leadership spill as early as Tuesday when the party room meets.
Mr Pesutto shot down suggestions MPs were running the numbers and criticised the "media frenzy".
He was confident a spill motion wasn't in the offing on Tuesday.
Australian Associated Press
