‘Devastated’, rudderless Liberals mourn historic defeat
Jacob Shteyman |
Peter Dutton has been booted out of parliament in a bloodbath for the coalition, becoming the first opposition leader to lose his seat in a federal election.
As it became clear the party was heading for a humbling defeat on Saturday night, the mood in Liberal HQ turned from shock and disbelief to devastation.
A large share of the 200-odd attendees in the room watched in stunned silence as results rolled in on the big screens.
“It’s not pretty,” one Liberal staffer said.
Arriving to a warm welcome at the W Hotel in Brisbane, Mr Dutton was magnanimous in conceding defeat and accepted full responsibility.
“Our liberal family is hurting across the country tonight,” he said.
Labor’s Ali France was projected to win Mr Dutton’s former electorate of Dickson on a 6.1 per cent margin following a 9.1 per cent swing.
Ms France, a leg amputee who lost her son to leukaemia in 2024, was successful in her third attempt to unseat Mr Dutton.
“Her son Henry would be incredibly proud of her tonight, and she’ll do a good job as a local member for Dixon,” Mr Dutton said.
Liberal supporter Sharyn Merrin said Mr Dutton’s loss was devastating.
She said she had been drawn to the party because of his efforts to stamp out domestic violence.
“I don’t know who they’ve got to replace Peter. I just can’t get over him not going to be there,” she said.
“It’s a historic day, but unfortunately for the wrong reasons.”
With half the vote counted, the coalition had suffered a 2.4 per cent two-party preferred swing and Labor was projected to be returned to government in an expanded majority.
It was a mistake for Mr Dutton to say he would be happy to host a nuclear reactor in his electorate, Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
Ms France was a strong candidate, the coalition lost the battle on health and cost of living policy “and Peter Dutton trailed away as the campaign rolled on”, Dr Chalmers said on ABC TV.
The coalition was behind in more than a dozen seats it held and was not on track to win any seats from the government.
A lone bright spot for the Liberals was opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan, who looked to have seen off a challenge from independent Alex Dyson in his regional Victorian seat of Wannon, with a swing towards him of 0.3 per cent.
The Liberals were set for a wipeout in Tasmania with the loss of Bass and Braddon, and faced defeat in their last seat in metropolitan Adelaide, with Sturt MP James Stevens suffering an 8.1 per cent swing against him.
AAP
