In an unprecedented legal manoeuvre that has sent shockwaves through Victoria’s political landscape, Moira Deeming’s formidable legal team is pursuing a novel strategy to recover $2.3 million in legal costs from those who funded John Pesutto’s failed defamation defense.
Leading this charge is a powerhouse duo of Australian legal talent: Patrick George, principal at boutique law firm Giles/George, and barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC, one of Australia’s most respected defamation specialists.
Patrick George brings decades of expertise to the table as one of Australia’s preeminent defamation lawyers. The author of the authoritative text “Defamation Law in Australia,” George has represented high-profile clients including former Prime Ministers and the Australian Olympic Committee. His reputation for handling sensitive, high-stakes disputes makes him particularly suited for this politically charged case.
Standing alongside George is Sue Chrysanthou SC, appointed Senior Counsel in 2020 and widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading defamation barristers. With a track record of landmark victories, including Rush v Nationwide News and Hanson-Young v Leyonhjelm, Chrysanthou’s involvement signals the seriousness of Deeming’s pursuit. Her fee alone for the Pesutto case reportedly approached $430,000.
What makes this case particularly fascinating is the legal team’s innovative approach to cost recovery. After securing a decisive victory in December 2024 when the Federal Court ruled Pesutto had defamed Deeming on multiple occasions, they’ve now set their sights on the financial backers who funded Pesutto’s defence.
In a May 21 letter, George signalled potential legal action against nine Liberal figures, including former premiers Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu, and Denis Napthine. The strategy draws on precedent from the Ben Roberts-Smith case, where billionaire Kerry Stokes was held liable for costs.
This approach could revolutionise how political defamation cases are funded in Australia. By potentially holding donors financially responsible, Deeming’s legal team is sending a clear message: those who bankroll defamatory statements may find themselves personally liable for the consequences.
As the Friday deadline for Pesutto to pay the $2.3 million approaches, all eyes are on this legal dream team and their groundbreaking strategy that could reshape Australia’s defamation landscape for years to come.
ADDENDUM: Deadline Passes, Legal Team Escalates to Bankruptcy Proceedings
June 2, 2025 Update
The high-stakes legal chess match between Moira Deeming’s powerhouse legal team and former Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto has entered a critical new phase. On Monday morning, Deeming’s legal representatives filed a bankruptcy notice in the Federal Court, dramatically escalating the already tense standoff.
The Friday deadline for Pesutto to pay the $2.3 million in court-ordered costs has come and gone without resolution, prompting this decisive action from Patrick George and Sue Chrysanthou SC. The bankruptcy notice starts a 21-day countdown clock for Pesutto, who now faces three stark options: pay the debt in full, negotiate a payment plan, or risk being declared bankrupt—a declaration that would immediately disqualify him from parliament.
This latest manoeuvre demonstrates the unwavering resolve of Deeming’s legal team to secure the full judgment amount. It also reveals their strategic acumen, as a bankruptcy declaration would trigger a by-election in Pesutto’s marginal seat of Hawthorn, potentially further destabilising the Victorian Liberal Party.
Pesutto has publicly acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating he will be “doing everything possible over the next 21 days to pay the amount ordered by the Federal Court.” He maintains his commitment to continue serving as the Member for Hawthorn “for as long as the people of my electorate will have me.”
The bankruptcy proceedings add yet another layer of complexity to this landmark case. Should Deeming’s team succeed in forcing Pesutto’s bankruptcy, it would not only represent a personal victory but also establish a powerful precedent regarding the consequences of defamation. Meanwhile, their parallel strategy of pursuing Pesutto’s financial backers remains in play, creating a two-pronged approach that maximises pressure on all parties involved.
As the 21-day countdown begins, the Victorian political establishment watches with bated breath, knowing that the outcome could reshape both the political landscape and the future of defamation litigation in Australia.