Peter Dutton has rejected a comparison with a children’s book villain as he prepares to take the reins of a faltering Liberal Party launched into opposition for the first time in nearly a decade.
Dutton, a former defense minister, vowed today to rally the party’s moderate and conservative wings in a statement confirming his leadership.
The Queensland MP will run unopposed in the main office and become the leader of the opposition.
Peter Dutton will be the next opposition leader. (Jamila Toderas)
“The workers talked about a big game in the economy. Now they have to comply and we will hold them accountable,” he said.
Labor MP Tanya Plibersek took Dutton’s first step yesterday, comparing him to Harry Potter’s super villain Voldemort.
“I think there will be a lot of kids who have seen a lot of Harry Potter movies who will be very scared of what they’re watching on TV at night, that’s for sure,” he told Brisbane 4BC radio station.
“I’m saying it looks a bit like Voldemort.”
Plibersek has since contacted Dutton to apologize.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had pledged to end the politics of the conflict, also called Plibersek’s coup “unacceptable”.
Dutton acknowledged his apology when he spoke to Ray Hadley at 2GB this morning, saying the comment was “unfortunate.”
“I’m not bald by choice, I was diagnosed with a skin condition a couple of years ago, so it’s just a reality to grow up,” he said.
“I’m not the prettiest guy on the blog, but I hope I’ll be quite effective.”
New South Wales MP Sussan Ley is the favorite to be Dutton MP, while Angus Taylor and Stuart Robert match up to be shadow treasurers.
Dutton would be the first leader of the Queensland Liberal Party since its establishment in 1944.
He highlighted his political experience in the portfolios of defense, interior, health, finance, assistant treasurer, sports and employment.
Sussan Ley is considered the favorite for the deputy liberal leader. (Alex Ellinghausen)
He also pledged to rally the fractured wings of the Liberal Party.
“We are not the ‘Moderate Party’. We are not the ‘Conservative Party’. We are liberals. We are the Liberal Party.
“We believe in families, whatever their composition. Small and micro-enterprises. For ‘forgotten people’ and aspiring workers in cities, suburbs, regions and forests,” he said.
Liberal and Labor headquarters tell two different stories
Former Home Secretary Karen Andrews confirmed to the ABC yesterday that no one else would take Dutton as the leader of the opposition.
Dutton was a police officer before entering parliament in 2001 at the age of 30.
He has since represented Dickson’s headquarters in North Brisbane.