Just a suburban boy: Dutton aims to lead Liberal Party for the ‘forgotten people’
New Liberal leader Peter Dutton says he wants to represent the “forgotten people” of party founder Robert Menzies and pursue policies in the interests of those in outer city suburbs and the regions.
Dutton, the first ever Queenslander to head the parliamentary Liberal Party, was elected unopposed, with former environment minister and NSW MP Sussan Ley becoming his deputy.
The former defence minister, won a party room leadership spill in Canberra on Monday and will replace Scott Morrison who led the coalition to defeat at the federal election.
Another Queenslander, former agriculture minister David Littleproud, will lead the National Party after defeating Barnaby Joyce in a leadership spill on Monday.
In his first press conference as leader, Dutton vowed to represent Australia’s “forgotten people” in the outer suburbs and regional areas. The phrase, famously used by Menzies tin the 1940s to describe Australia’s middle class, has been often used since by political leaders wanting to pitch to suburban families and small businesses.
“Under my leadership, the Liberal Party will be true to our values that have seen us win successive elections over the course of the last quarter of a century,” Dutton said.
“Make no mistake and Australians understand this, the next three years under Labor is going to be tough for the Australian people. Already they’re breaking the promises and foreshadowing policy shifts. They weren’t ready to govern.
“Sussan and I lead a team which has the experience to make the right calls on supporting government policies that are in our national interest and standing against those that are not in our national interests.”
Ley pledged to “earn back” the “trust and faith” of female voters who deserted the party at the election.
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“My message to the women of Australia is we hear you,” she said. “We heard you.
“My message is that I do know that there were women who abandoned the coalition at the last election and there were women who firmly supported us.
“So at this point in time, as review takes place. I will be travelling to as many parts of Australia to speak directly to the women to hear that individual perspectives about what matters to them.”
Dutton said China’s leadership under Xi Jinping was the “biggest issue our country will face in our lifetimes”.
“That’s the reality,” he said.
“That’s the assessment of the American, British, Japanese, Indians, and it’s our assessment as well. I will support policies which help to defend our country.
“I want us to have a productive relationship with China, I want it to be restored.”
Dutton said he “made a mistake” walking out on the Stolen Generation apology made by former prime minister Kevin Rudd in 2008, saying he wanted to see tangible outcomes for First Nations people.
“For me, at the time, I believed that the apology should be given when the problems were resolved and the problems are not resolved,” he said.
“I understand the symbolism and I made that mistake…so I want there to be practical solutions.
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“And I want to work with the government to deliver those.”
Dutton said he was a “strong supporter” of a national anti-corruption watchdog.
And that he was “passionate” about climate change action but in a “sensible way”.
Dutton said the new frontbench will be revealed “toward the end of the week”.
He backed the housing policy the coalition took to the election, which would allow people to withdraw their superannuation to help buy a home.
“I’m not opposed to allowing Australians to achieve what is you know, a great dream and it will continue to be and it should be because it’s a good investment to make and I hope that we can support that,” Dutton said.
Morrison congratulated Dutton and Ley on winning the leadership positions.
“They are incredibly experienced, well versed, deeply, deeply committed Australians to both the Liberal cause and of course the cause of the nation and I think they’ll do an outstanding job and I look forward to giving them all of my full support,” he said.
NSW Senator Perin Davey won a three-way contest for Nationals’ deputy leadership position, while Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie was re-elected Nationals leader in the Senate.
Victorian MP Darren Chester also threw his hat into the ring but did not have enough support from his colleagues.
Addressing the media post-spill, Littleproud described his win as “the proudest day of my professional life”.
“I believe passionately in the National Party because we are all there is about regional and rural Australia. We are the conscience of rural and regional Australia right here in this parliament,” he said.
“The National Party today starts its journey towards 2025, with a vibrant team, ready to articulate the policies that are important to regional and rural Australia.
“But also to draw on the experience of two former deputy prime ministers in Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack. To build that bridge of unity and purpose, to make sure that regional and rural Australia isn’t forgotten here.”
Joyce said he wasn’t too concerned at having lost the party leadership.
“I suppose you think I am sad. Not really,” he said in a statement.
“I gave every ounce of my energy to make sure that I looked after the people of regional Australia, the people in the small family business, the people in the weatherboard and iron, the people on the farms.”
