Katherine Deves

{{Short description|Australian politician and lawyer}}

{{Use Australian English|date=August 2022}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Katherine Deves

| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date |44|2022|8|21}}

| nationality = Australian

| occupation = Lawyer

| known_for = Liberal Party candidate for Warringah, views on transgender people

| party = Liberal

| children = 3

}}

Katherine Deves Morgan is an Australian lawyer who ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia at the 2022 Australian federal election.

Deves has been described as a "captain's pick" by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, for the once blue-ribbon seat of Warringah on Sydney's Northern Beaches. She has been criticised for her views and public statements about transgender people,{{Cite web |last=Koziol |first=Michael |date=2022-04-23 |title=From internet activist to captain's pick: who is Katherine Deves? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-internet-activist-to-chosen-candidate-who-is-katherine-deves-20220422-p5afbr.html |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813222149/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-internet-activist-to-chosen-candidate-who-is-katherine-deves-20220422-p5afbr.html |url-status=live }} and is a self-described anti-trans activist and TERF, or trans-exclusionary radical feminist.{{Cite web |last=Maiden |first=Samantha |date=2022-04-23 |title=Secret docs lift the lid on Katherine Deves' past |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/secret-docs-lift-the-lid-on-katherine-deves-past/news-story/fc702e46b119fcc54972ae419acbbefb |access-date=2024-03-10}}

Politics

= Pre-2022 =

Before late 2020, there is minimal information about Deves' activities. Deves has said she became interested in gender identity and women's sport around 2015. In 2020, Deves stated that she had been “active in the debate online for a number of years”, but “a few years ago I decided to stop just complaining online and try to figure out how I can make a difference in real life.” In 2020, she co-founded the Save Women's Sport lobby group, intended to exclude transgender women from women's sport, by uniting with a New Zealand lobby group by the same name to create an Australasian organisation.{{Cite web |last=Patrick |first=Aaron |date=2022-02-08 |title=Biological-sex campaigner to seek Liberal endorsement for Warringah |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/biological-sex-campaigner-to-seek-liberal-endorsement-for-warringah-20220208-p59upq |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814014111/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/biological-sex-campaigner-to-seek-liberal-endorsement-for-warringah-20220208-p59upq |url-status=live }} In 2020, she created a Twitter account, and began to appear in the media, including in articles in conservative news outlets such as The Australian, and several appearances on Sky News Australia and podcasts. On September 21, 2021, Deves filed an application to join the Liberal Party, and in December, the application was accepted.

= 2022 election =

Before Deves' candidacy, infighting between the Liberal Party's moderate and conservative factions caused them to support disability advocate David Brady and defence analyst Lincoln Parker respective to be preselected for the Division of Warringah. Both men were described by an anonymous senior Warringah Liberal as not "the kind of candidate we really needed here".{{Cite news |last=McGowan |first=Michael |date=2022-04-22 |title=Why some conservatives see Katherine Deves' candidacy as a 'godsend' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/23/why-some-conservatives-see-katherine-deves-candidates-as-a-godsend |access-date=2023-07-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=2023-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605231424/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/23/why-some-conservatives-see-katherine-deves-candidates-as-a-godsend |url-status=live }} Warringah had long been considered a safe Liberal seat, until independent candidate Zali Steggall beat former Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the 2019 election. Deves applied for Warringah preselection in February 2022, but had been rejected on the grounds that she had not been a Liberal Party member for long enough. Despite this fact,{{Cite web |last=Patrick |first=Aaron |date=2022-04-20 |title=How a gender warrior hijacked the 2022 election |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/how-a-gender-warrior-hijacked-the-2022-election-20220419-p5aehz |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826084225/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/how-a-gender-warrior-hijacked-the-2022-election-20220419-p5aehz |url-status=live }} she had gained traction among members of the centre-right faction as a "circuit breaker" candidate. According to the same Warringah Liberal, Deves appeared to be "smart, articulate, not at all a 'politician', and [looked] like a movie star." By the end of March 2022, a three-person committee was appointed to appoint a candidate for Warringah, among other seats, consisting of former president of the New South Wales Liberals Christine McDiven, Morrison and New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet. On April 2, the committee announced Deves as the Liberal candidate for Warringah. Due to the "hurried nomination" of Deves, it is unclear whether the committee knew of the extent of Deves' anti-transgender views before her preselection, as she had deleted her Twitter and Facebook accounts before preselection. Although some vetting was conducted, her Twitter history was not raised. In early April 2022, a repository of Deves' deleted tweets was uploaded to Github by a German computer programmer.{{Cite web |last1=Elmas |first1=Matthew |last2=Robertson |first2=James |date=2022-04-29 |title='Uproar': How 6000 of Katherine Deves deleted tweets fractured the Liberal Party |url=https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/federal-election-2022/2022/04/29/deves-anti-trans-tweets-liberal |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=thenewdaily.com.au}}

During the campaign, Deves made comments relating to transgender people, which caused significant controversy.{{Cite web |last=Karp |first=Paul |date=2022-05-10 |title=Morrison stands by Katherine Deves and wrongly claims 'young adolescents' can have gender confirmation surgery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/10/katherine-deves-backtracks-on-apology-for-comments-about-transgender-children |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814111643/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/10/katherine-deves-backtracks-on-apology-for-comments-about-transgender-children |url-status=live }} Statements included the false claim that gender reassignment surgery was available to teenagers in Australia, and that anti-transgender activism was equivalent to "standing up against the Holocaust".{{Cite web |last=McGowan |first=Michael |date=2022-04-14 |title=NSW Liberal candidate likens anti-trans activism to opposing the Holocaust |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-likens-anti-trans-activism-to-opposing-the-holocaust |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505194718/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-likens-anti-trans-activism-to-opposing-the-holocaust |url-status=live }} Deves also stated that transgender children were "surgically mutilated and sterilised", which she initially apologised for, before withdrawing her apology.{{Cite web |last=Maiden |first=Samantha |date=2022-03-12 |title=PM's 'captain's pick' for Warringah Katherine Deves wipes social media accounts after transgender comments |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/pms-captains-pick-for-warringah-katherine-deves-wipes-social-media-accounts-after-transgender-comments/news-story/e1b41b73c646a5494eeee64928bba8f3 |website=News.com.au}}{{Cite web |last=McLeod |first=Catie |date=2022-05-09 |title=Katherine Deves walks back apology for social media post about transgender children |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/katherine-deves-walks-back-apology-for-social-media-posts-about-transgender-children/news-story/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=News.com.au}} Deves was invited to the Sydney Jewish Museum, after her comment relating to the Holocaust. After her visit, Deves stated that "under no circumstances must [the Holocaust] ever be trivialised.”{{Cite web |last=AJN Staff |title=Deves visits Sydney Jewish Museum |url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/deves-visits-sydney-jewish-museum/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Australian Jewish News |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826082249/https://www.australianjewishnews.com/deves-visits-sydney-jewish-museum/ |url-status=live }} In a similar incident, Deves compared transgender children being removed from abusive parents to the Stolen Generations.{{Cite web |last=Koziol |first=Michael |date=2022-04-18 |title=Liberal candidate Deves invoked stolen generations in deleted trans tweets |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-candidate-deves-invoked-stolen-generations-in-deleted-trans-tweets-20220418-p5ae3q.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109072357/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-candidate-deves-invoked-stolen-generations-in-deleted-trans-tweets-20220418-p5ae3q.html |url-status=live }} Deves also routinely misgendered transgender athletes, such as Laurel Hubbard and Hannah Mouncey, described Wear it Purple Day as a "grooming tactic used by gender extremists",{{Cite news |last=McGowan |first=Michael |date=2022-04-13 |title=NSW Liberal candidate described campaign supporting LGBT youth as 'grooming tactic' used by 'gender extremists' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-described-campaign-supporting-lgbt-youth-as-grooming-tactic-used-by-gender-extremists |access-date=2024-01-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=2024-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104082128/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-described-campaign-supporting-lgbt-youth-as-grooming-tactic-used-by-gender-extremists |url-status=live }} and described the gay and lesbian movement as being "hijacked by gender activists".

Many Liberals, including New South Wales Treasurer Matt Kean and member for the federal seat of North Sydney Trent Zimmerman called for Deves to be disendorsed;{{Cite web |last=Read |first=Michael |date=2022-04-20 |title=Deves won't be 'cancelled': Morrison |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/deves-won-t-be-cancelled-morrison-20220420-p5aew7 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826082249/https://www.afr.com/politics/deves-won-t-be-cancelled-morrison-20220420-p5aew7 |url-status=live }} however, other anonymous Liberal Party members and Morrison backed her.{{Cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jake |last2=Haydar |first2=Nour |date=2022-05-10 |title='Hurling opinions': Trans groups say PM comments on kids' surgery are misinformation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-10/morrison-responds-to-warringah-deves-trans-apology-walk-back/101051914 |access-date=2022-08-27 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=2022-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827093608/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-10/morrison-responds-to-warringah-deves-trans-apology-walk-back/101051914 |url-status=live }} Kean also stated that he does "not believe she’s fit for office." Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull strongly condemned Deves' comments and called for her disendorsement, stating that "they are hateful comments that seem to be designed to whip up animosity and hatred against some of the most vulnerable people in our community." Morrison praised Deves as an "outstanding individual" for "standing up for things that she believes in."{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Courtney |title=Katherine Deves explainer: Everything you need to know about the Liberal candidate |url=https://instyleaustralia.com.au/katherine-deves-explainer/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=InStyle |archive-date=2024-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104035413/https://instyleaustralia.com.au/katherine-deves-explainer/ |url-status=live }} On 22 April 2022, Deves held a campaign event in a Sydney pub, where media were informed that they were banned from entering.{{Cite web |last=Koziol |first=Michael |date=2022-04-22 |title='This is a joke': Farcical scenes as media banned from Deves' pub event |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/this-is-a-joke-farcical-scenes-as-deves-ushered-into-pub-event-20220422-p5afix.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109072357/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/this-is-a-joke-farcical-scenes-as-deves-ushered-into-pub-event-20220422-p5afix.html |archive-date=2024-01-09 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} In April 2022, Deves stated that she had reported death threats made against her to the police, but New South Wales Police stated they had not received a report of any threats.{{Cite news |last=McGowan |first=Michael |date=2022-04-25 |title=NSW police not aware of any threats made against Katherine Deves |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/25/nsw-police-not-aware-of-any-threats-made-against-katherine-deves |access-date=2024-01-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=2024-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109070811/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/25/nsw-police-not-aware-of-any-threats-made-against-katherine-deves |url-status=live }}

In the leadup to the election, Deves received significant media attention due to her controversial comments. In an eleven-day timeframe in the lead up to the election, she received more mentions across news publications than any Liberal frontbencher except for Morrison himself, being mentioned over 1,100 times. She was defeated in the formerly safe Liberal seat of Warringah, suffering a 6.6% swing against the Liberal Party.{{Cite web |last=Riches |first=Caroline |title=Katherine Deves' defeat in Warringah 'a stunning rebuke of politics of division', advocates say |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/katherine-deves-defeat-in-warringah-a-stunning-rebuke-of-politics-of-division-advocates-say/6cd2ipzag |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=SBS World News |date=22 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814012734/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/katherine-deves-defeat-in-warringah-a-stunning-rebuke-of-politics-of-division-advocates-say/6cd2ipzag |url-status=live }}

After the election, she objected to criticism that she was homophobic, stating on Sky News Australia, "Of all of the untruths and distortions attributed to me in my public life there is one lie that hurts more than any other, and that is the completely groundless accusation that I am homophobic."{{Cite web |last=Deves |first=Katherine |date=2022-11-17 |title='I am not a homophobe': Katherine Deves unleashes on 'vicious' critics within her own party |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/i-am-not-a-homophobe-former-warringah-candidate-katherine-deves-unleashes-on-fellow-liberals-matt-kean-and-andrew-bragg-who-maliciously-maligned-her-during-the-federal-election/news-story/b9f00e9d448597b9d269c479c9d1672c |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=Sky News Australia |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224082942/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/i-am-not-a-homophobe-former-warringah-candidate-katherine-deves-unleashes-on-fellow-liberals-matt-kean-and-andrew-bragg-who-maliciously-maligned-her-during-the-federal-election/news-story/b9f00e9d448597b9d269c479c9d1672c |url-status=live }} She also criticised Liberal Party members that had objected to her anti-trans comments, including Kean and Senators Simon Birmingham and Andrew Bragg, claiming their criticism of her hurt her chances of winning Warringah. Birmingham stated that Deves' candidature had had a "contagion effect on adjacent seats", where her controversy hurt the Liberal vote both in Warringah and for other Liberal candidates elsewhere.{{Cite web |last=Maiden |first=Samantha |date=21 May 2022 |title=Scott Morrison slammed for Katherine Deves pick after Warringah returned to Steggall |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/electorates/morrison-slammed-for-katherine-deves-pick-after-warringah-returned-to-stegall/news-story/f0883d689158cfbc3fea13608835d304 |access-date=9 January 2024 |website=news.com.au |archive-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521111948/https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/electorates/morrison-slammed-for-katherine-deves-pick-after-warringah-returned-to-stegall/news-story/f0883d689158cfbc3fea13608835d304 |url-status=live }}

= Post-2022 =

On 17 April 2023, Deves announced that she would be nominating to fill the Senate vacancy left by Jim Molan. If successful, she stated that she would oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.{{Cite web |last=Maddison |first=Max |date=2023-04-17 |title=Katherine Deves to nominate for Jim Molan's NSW Senate vacancy |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/katherine-deves-to-nominate-for-jim-molans-nsw-senate-vacancy/news-story/9b8d30802d67552308df458d60687bf7 |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=The Australian |archive-date=2023-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417113433/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/katherine-deves-to-nominate-for-jim-molans-nsw-senate-vacancy/news-story/9b8d30802d67552308df458d60687bf7 |url-status=live }} Deves pulled out of the contest on 23 April, to focus on her legal defence for women-only social media platform Giggle for Girls founded by Sall Grover.{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Tyrone |date=2023-04-22 |title=Katherine Deves withdraws from race to fill Jim Molan's Senate spot |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/former-warringah-liberal-candidate-katherine-deves-pulls-out-of-race-to-replace-latejim-molan-in-senate/news-story/b8d79d75ed612b2e0832fb1fe4355cad |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Sky News Australia |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423000906/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/former-warringah-liberal-candidate-katherine-deves-pulls-out-of-race-to-replace-latejim-molan-in-senate/news-story/b8d79d75ed612b2e0832fb1fe4355cad |url-status=live }} In December 2022, Giggle was being sued by a transgender woman, Roxanne Tickle, after she was classified as a man and banned from the app.{{Cite news |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=2022-12-30 |title=Transgender woman sues female-only app Giggle for Girls for alleged discrimination |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/31/transgender-woman-sues-female-only-app-giggle-for-girls-for-alleged-discrimination |access-date=2024-01-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=2023-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603044544/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/31/transgender-woman-sues-female-only-app-giggle-for-girls-for-alleged-discrimination |url-status=live }} In June 2023, an application made by Deves to dismiss the case was rejected.{{Cite news |last=Australian Associated Press |date=2023-06-01 |title=Female-only app represented by Katherine Deves fails to throw out transgender discrimination suit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jun/01/female-only-app-giggle-for-girls-transgender-discrimination-suit-roxanne-tickle |access-date=2023-07-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |agency=Australian Associated Press |archive-date=2023-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723015348/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jun/01/female-only-app-giggle-for-girls-transgender-discrimination-suit-roxanne-tickle |url-status=live }} In the same month, Deves spoke at an anti-transgender event at Parliament House, Sydney, which included Victorian MLC Moira Deeming, and New South Wales MLCs John Ruddick, Tania Mihailuk, and Greg Donnelly.{{Cite web |last=McGowan |first=Michael |date=2023-06-23 |title='Authoritarian': NSW parliamentarians speak out at forum of anti-trans campaigners |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-parliamentarians-criticised-for-speaking-at-forum-of-anti-trans-campaigners-20230623-p5dixr.html |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=2023-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723015348/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-parliamentarians-criticised-for-speaking-at-forum-of-anti-trans-campaigners-20230623-p5dixr.html |url-status=live }}

In August 2023, Deves confirmed she was considering running for Warringah again at the 2025 Australian federal election.{{Cite web |last=Massola |first=James |date=2023-08-18 |title=Deves considering a second run for Liberals in Warringah |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/deves-considering-a-second-run-for-liberals-in-warringah-20230818-p5dxl6.html |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104034638/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/deves-considering-a-second-run-for-liberals-in-warringah-20230818-p5dxl6.html |url-status=live }} However the preselection ultimately went to Jaimee Rogers.

In August 2024, Tickle v Giggle concluded, with the Federal Court of Australia ruling against Grover, ordering her to pay damages to Roxanne Tickle.{{Cite news |last=Dumas |first=Daisy |date=2024-08-23 |title=Transgender woman Roxanne Tickle wins discrimination case after being banned from women-only app |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/23/roxanne-tickle-v-giggle-for-girls-transgender-woman-wins-discrimination-case-against-women-female-only-app-ntwnfb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827012323/https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/23/roxanne-tickle-v-giggle-for-girls-transgender-woman-wins-discrimination-case-against-women-female-only-app-ntwnfb |archive-date=2024-08-27 |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The judgment also stated that Grover’s legal case, which Deves had contributed to, had been presented in a “disjointed and somewhat incoherent way”. {{Cite web |title=Tickle v Giggle for Girls Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] FCA 960 |url=https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2024/2024fca0960#_Ref175231591 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823013931/https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2024/2024fca0960#_Ref175231591 |archive-date=2024-08-23 |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Federal Court of Australia}}

Other political views

Deves is a monarchist. The Australian Monarchist League received controversy when it announced Deves would be speaking at their annual conference.{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=28 October 2022 |title='Don't criticise us': Australian Monarchist League defends welcoming Hanson and Deves as speakers | Australia news | The Guardian |url=https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/28/dont-criticise-us-australian-monarchist-league-defends-welcoming-hanson-and-deves-as-speakers |website=The Guardian |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104035413/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/28/dont-criticise-us-australian-monarchist-league-defends-welcoming-hanson-and-deves-as-speakers |url-status=live }} When preselected for Warringah in 2022, she said she would focus on local issues, particularly cost of living and small businesses.{{Cite web |title=Katherine Deves will fight for Warringah |url=https://nswliberal.org.au/news/katherine-deves-will-fight-for-warringah |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Liberal Party of NSW |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104035413/https://nswliberal.org.au/news/katherine-deves-will-fight-for-warringah |url-status=live }} Deves opposed "draconian" COVID-19 policies implemented by the New South Wales Liberal Party, and called for the Prime Minister to "sort out the vaccine rollout". Deves is against pornography, calling it "a corrupting influence", and is against pushes to ban gay conversion therapy, critical of a Victorian bill to ban the practice. She is a climate denier, stating on Twitter she believed climate change was a scam.{{Cite web |last=Deves |first=Katherine |date=2023-12-27 |title=#ClimateScam is a wealth & property transference scheme from the middle & working classes in Western liberal democracies to the plutocrats |url=https://twitter.com/deves_katherine/status/1739962720995418340 |access-date=2024-01-04 |archive-date=2024-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104093109/https://twitter.com/deves_katherine/status/1739962720995418340 |url-status=live }}

Personal life

Deves lives in Manly Vale with her partner and three daughters. Before entering politics, Deves worked in marketing, as an employee for Treasury Wine Estates. She studied law at University of Sydney and qualified as a lawyer in 2021. In July 2022, she was injured after skiing at Thredbo, missing a Liberal party meeting.{{Cite web |last1=Napier-Raman |first1=Kishor |last2=Towell |first2=Noel |date=2022-07-19 |title=Deves misses Warringah meeting after High Noon skiing smash |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/deves-misses-warringah-meeting-after-high-noon-skiing-smash-20220719-p5b2ww.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814012736/https://www.smh.com.au/national/deves-misses-warringah-meeting-after-high-noon-skiing-smash-20220719-p5b2ww.html |archive-date=2022-08-14 |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} Deves has contributed to Sky News Australia and The Spectator.{{Cite web |title=Author: Katherine Deves |url=https://www.spectator.com.au/author/katherine-deves/ |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=The Spectator |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224082943/https://www.spectator.com.au/author/katherine-deves/ |url-status=live }}{{Citation |last1=Murray |first1=Paul |title=Age of criminal responsibility set to be raised |date=29 November 2022 |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/paul-murray/age-of-criminal-responsibility-set-to-be-raised/video/c0e08b33fe420a2373429150ea337df0 |access-date=2022-12-24 |publisher=Sky News Australia |language=en |last2=Deves |first2=Katherine |archive-date=2022-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224082939/https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/paul-murray/age-of-criminal-responsibility-set-to-be-raised/video/c0e08b33fe420a2373429150ea337df0 |url-status=live }}

References