An outspoken state Liberal MP, who was previously ejected from her party, has made a shock comeback after winning a bruising internal battle, AAP reports.

Moira Deeming secured endorsement for the top spot on the party’s Victorian upper-house ticket for the Western Metropolitan Region after the other candidates withdrew from the running.

She previously dropped her candidacy after the party overlooked her for businessman and Indian community leader Dinesh Gourisetty, who garnered support from the party’s moderate wing.

But he was forced to step aside after it was revealed he previously provided a character reference for a now-convicted child sexual abuse offender, triggering another preselection contest.

Deeming was the only eligible nominee remaining for the position.

On Sunday, she thanked everyone who had supported her – including state Liberal leader Jess Wilson – adding she looked forward to exposing “Labor’s callous betrayal of hard-working families” ahead of the November election:

When we win, I will work tirelessly to restore good governance to this great state of Victoria.