Melbourne's deputy lord mayor poised to become Liberal Party candidate

The Victorian Liberal Party has selected former federal candidate Roshena Campbell to replace Moira Deeming as its candidate in the Western Metropolitan Region. Ms Campbell currently serves as Melbourne's deputy lord mayor, and beat out current MP Trung Luu for the top spot on the ballot. The change comes following Ms Deeming's candidacy being revoked by the Liberal Party following an assault allegation. Melbourne's deputy lord mayor, Roshena Campbell, is almost guaranteed a seat in the Victorian Parliament after being chosen to replace Moira Deeming on the Liberal Party ticket. The party's state executive last night selected Ms Campbell, a barrister, to run on the top of the Liberal ballot for the upper house in the Western Metropolitan Region this November. She beat out current MP Trung Luu, who had the support of senior Liberals in parliament. Mr Luu will have to reapply for the second position on the ballot, which is generally winnable but which will come under serious threat from One Nation. Ms Campbell is considered a talent who could quickly enter the frontbench, but she does not live in the electorate that covers communities from Footscray to Sunbury and Werribee. She previously ran in the 2023 Aston by-election but unexpectedly lost the seat for the federal Liberals, in what was a historic victory for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Deeming exit prompts new Liberal ticket The Liberal Party was forced to reopen the contest for Western Metropolitan Region candidates after unanimously revoking Ms Deeming's preselection. Ms Deeming had accused her party room colleague and former opposition leader Matthew Guy of putting her in a headlock at a crowded community function. Police reviewed CCTV of the interaction and said no offence was detected. But Ms Deeming refused to apologise, saying she made the allegation in good faith. She was disendorsed as a result but remained a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party before taking herself to the crossbench last month. Ms Deeming's husband, Andrew Deeming, wrote on social media that the party's decision to select Ms Campbell showed "contempt" for the west. Once elected in November, Ms Campbell would need to resign from her position in local government. The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) also advises state and federal election candidates to take a leave of absence from their council no later than the date of their nomination. Liberal Party preselection for the ticket had already been a shambles. Ms Deeming initially lost the preselection to Dinesh Gourisetty. But he was not endorsed by the party's state executive when it was revealed the morning after his preselection that he had previously provided a character reference in court for a child sex offender. Ms Campbell, the Liberal Party and the City of Melbourne have been contacted for comment. [Image text:] NA ELL A STRONG VOICE FORACTON R C IVOICE NO. ROSHE CAMPBE ROSHE CAMPE LIBER ASTRON FORA OS