Dutton calls for unity in first public comments since landslide defeat
By Matt Dennien
Peter Dutton called for party unity following the bitter internal contest to replace him after the defeated former opposition leader received a standing ovation from Queensland’s Liberal-National faithful.
In his first public comments since leading the federal Coalition to a landslide election defeat in May, Dutton heaped praise on his replacement Sussan Ley, who he said had a vision to lead the embattled parties to the next poll.
“You saw in Sussan’s speech today a commitment to the principles which are important to families, small business, and making sure that the vision is there for the next election,” he said during a brief appearance before reporters at the LNP state convention in Brisbane.
Peter Dutton with David Littleproud at the LNP state conference.Credit: Matt Dennien
“I think Sussan’s doing a great job, and [Nationals leader] David Littleproud, and people will see more and more policy coming forward.”
In a likely reference to the brief schism after the election, when the Nationals split from the Coalition before it reformed days later, Dutton said it was important there was a “united stance”.
“We’ll see more policy coming through .… it’s important to have a united stance to be there in the public’s eye,” he said.
Ley and Littleproud fell out publicly after the conservative defeat, as the Nationals sought guarantees on policies such as emissions targets, along with an elevated role for their leader.
Dutton said it was “very humbling” to have received a standing ovation at the Brisbane convention.
“I’m very grateful,” he said.
“I’ve got some wonderful friends in the room. I’ve dedicated almost a quarter of a century to this party and I love our state and our country, and I’ll always do everything I can to see the best days ahead of us.”
Dutton became the first opposition leader to lose their own seat at a federal poll in a historic electoral drubbing that resulted in the Coalition losing 14 seats.
The former member for Dickson was dislodged by Labor’s Ali France in Brisbane’s sprawling outer northern suburbs seat, ending Dutton’s more than 20-year reign as MP.
Earlier this month, Dutton broke his post-election silence to back the Albanese government’s call to move ASIO and the Australian Federal Police back into the Department of Home Affairs in an interview with this masthead.
But his comments on Friday at the convention was the first time the former opposition leader had spoken publicly.
Net zero debate
The LNP began the opening day of the convention with an overwhelming vote to call on the federal Coalition to drop its support for net zero energy and climate policy.
Over an hour, 27 out of 28 speakers backed the motion. The ultimate wording called for a “flexible” policy to reduce emissions, while growing and protecting mining, agriculture and manufacturing, lifting the prohibition on nuclear energy, and supporting high-efficiency, low-emissions technology.
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, who sits in the Nationals federal party room, opened the debate saying energy costs had increased.
“We need to support this motion so we can return to the days when we run our energy system, when we use our energy resources with the number one priority of bringing down the lowest possible prices for the Australian people,” he said.
Only one amendment was moved by a speaker, pushing back on the use of “renewable” to describe solar and wind. Canavan spoke in defence of the technology, and the carefully negotiated resolution, saying it was about their use being “unbalanced”.
Departing president Lawrence Springborg also spoke at the LNP’s annual convention.Credit: Matt Dennien
“I think this motion … unifies this party and this issue in a way I haven’t seen for many years,” he said.
Other members variously described the push for net zero as a “slogan”, a “scam” and “national self-sabotage”.
One described climate change as “natural”, while Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien began his contribution by “stating the obvious, that climate change is real”.
The sole member to speak against the motion, who did not introduce himself, described the issue faced as one of energy policy, not the efforts to reach net zero.
“We can have net zero without what the Labor Party is doing,” he said. “How many people voted for net zero [at] the last election? I think you’ll find that [it was] quite a few. If we adopt this motion, what’s it going to do to our voter base, for a start?”
Outgoing party president Lawrence Springborg noted the resolution used the phrase “net zero mandate”, which he said offered flexibility.
Several hands were raised in the ultimate vote when asked if they objected to the resolution. The positions taken by the convention are not binding on the state parliamentary arm, or the federal Coalition.
Ley’s complete economic plan
In a speech to the convention before the vote, Ley vowed to go to the next federal election with a “complete economic plan”, and hit out at Labor’s recent roundtable.
She said shadow treasurer and Queenslander Ted O’Brien had attended the government event and had promised “not a grab bag of slogans, but a fully integrated plan” to restore confidence, drive productivity and living standards.
Ley also reiterated criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his decision to recognise a Palestinian state.
“When terrorists are cheering your foreign policy, you know you’ve got it wrong,” she said. “There can be no reward for terror and no recognition without peace.”
Ley revealed that along with the standard post-election party review of the recent federal loss, Senator James McGrath would also carry out an “in-depth review into the party and the way we connect with people” billed as a longer-term strategic reset.
Springborg, often dubbed the “father of the LNP” for his role in the conservative parties’ merger, was also given a standing ovation as he prepared to pass the baton to engineer Doug Hawkes.
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