Victorian Liberal Candidate in Turmoil Over Court Reference for Convicted Sex Offender
Dinesh Gourisetty, the Victorian Liberal candidate who recently defeated Moira Deeming in a preselection battle, is now facing intense party pressure to withdraw after it was revealed he provided a character reference for a friend convicted of sexually assaulting a child. The controversy has ignited a fierce internal conflict within the party, with leader Jess Wilson declaring Gourisetty "not welcome on my team."
Preselection Victory Overshadowed by Court Document Revelation
Gourisetty secured the top spot on the Liberal upper house ballot for the western metropolitan region on Sunday, defeating Deeming with 39 votes to her 26. However, his triumph was short-lived when party executives learned he had written a court character reference in 2024 for Kashyap Patel, who was convicted of grooming and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.
In a letter to the party executive, Gourisetty claimed he was unaware Patel would plead guilty when he provided the reference, stating he had been "led to believe" his friend was contesting the charges. He emphasized that the reference was drafted by a lawyer and reflected only his personal experience with Patel as a party member and volunteer.
"I had no knowledge of the seriousness or full nature of the allegations. I acted in good faith, based on what I knew at the time," Gourisetty wrote, while condemning Patel's actions as "unacceptable."
Party Leadership Demands Withdrawal Amid Factional Conflict
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson, who had lobbied delegates to support Deeming during preselection, issued a strong statement distancing herself from Gourisetty. "Mr. Gourisetty is not welcome on my team. I have made that clear to the party organization this morning," Wilson declared, highlighting the deepening rift within party ranks.
The controversy has exposed factional divisions, with one executive committee member accusing the "party's factional left" of backing a "pedophile supporter." Another senior Liberal source suggested the timing of the document's distribution after the vote was designed to cause "maximum damage" to moderate factions.
Gourisetty's Defense and Refusal to Step Down
Despite mounting pressure, Gourisetty has refused to withdraw his candidacy, though accounts differ regarding his initial response. Party president Philip Davis told the executive committee that Gourisetty had "advised me this morning he has withdrawn as the candidate," while Gourisetty maintains he only considered stepping aside in a "moment of distress" but never formally withdrew.
In his defense, Gourisetty cited precedents of former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard providing character references for individuals facing serious allegations, asking that his actions be viewed "through the same lens of fairness and intent." He expressed heartbreak at being pushed toward resigning from the party he has served for 15 years.
Background and Previous Controversies
This is not Gourisetty's first brush with controversy. He previously failed to win preselection in 2022, partly due to pleading guilty to breaches of the Food Safety Act in 2019. His current support stems from multiple branches in Melbourne's western suburbs and moderate elements within the executive committee.
The case has raised serious questions about the party's vetting processes, with one executive member questioning what the candidate selection committee was doing and describing the decision to remove Deeming as "always going to be a disaster."
As the November state election approaches, the Victorian Liberal Party faces significant internal turmoil, with the preselection scandal threatening to overshadow their campaign efforts and highlighting ongoing factional conflicts within the organization.
