Page:Deeming v Pesutto (No 3) (2024, FCA).pdf/18

(b) Ms Beverley McArthur MLC (Liberal Member for the Western Victoria Region in the Legislative Council) sent her a text message (Ex A99; CC:157) saying, "Wonderful speech. Congrats. It was fabulous";

(c) Dr Bach sent her a text message (Ex A59; CC:158) that said, "Amazing and powerful speech";

(d) Mr Chris Crewther MP (Liberal Member for Mornington in the Legislative Assembly) sent her a text message (Ex A100; CC:159) saying, "Well done on your maiden speech today. I was able to get to the last three-quarters of it. It was very strong, and said a lot of what many people are likely thinking, but are afraid to speak. Well done!";

(e) Mr Nick McGowan MLC (Liberal Member for the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council) sent her a text message (Ex A108; CC:175) saying, "superstar!";

(f) Mrs Deeming's staffer, Mr Paul Lassig, sent her an email on 23 February 2023 saying, "So many people have called into [sic] support you. Messages streaming in from everywhere" (Ex A110; CC:178);

(g) At a meeting held on 19 March 2023 (which I will address in detail below):

(i) Mr Southwick said, "95% of that speech was amazing. Brilliant. Amazing. Unbelievable. It was one of the best speeches. And then you wanted to frame it that way, you have chosen to frame it that way" (Ex A2, lines 781–783); and

(ii) Mr Pesutto described it as a "good speech" (Ex A2, line 784).

(h) In his affidavit, Mr Pesutto gave evidence he thought "it started as a great speech" but "then took a turn when towards the end Mrs Deeming made" what he described as "various controversial statements in relation to transgender people and sex-based rights" (CB:30, 332[29]).

(i) Ms Crozier gave evidence that she "personally thought [Mrs Deeming's] speech was fine and congratulated her on it" (CB:34, 412[20]).

(j) Mrs Deeming gave evidence that:

(i) she received many emails from members of the public which her staffers told her "were overwhelmingly positive" and had been sent "by people across the political spectrum" (CB:1, 6[34]) (some of these emails are in evidence at Ex A113; CC:184);

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