Party approves last-minute loan to help former leader pay $2.3m defamation costs against Moira DeemingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian Liberal party will provide a $1.5m loan to former leader John Pesutto to ensure he can pay Moira Deeming’s legal fees and avoid bankruptcy.The loan was debated by the 19-member administrative committee on Thursday night and ultimately endorsed after a secret ballot, which was proposed to limit any factional retribution within a deeply divided party.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...