Peter Dutton speaks about daughter Rebecca, 21, who was born a year before he married wife Kirilly
Peter Dutton speaks of daughter Rebecca, 21, who was born a year before he married wife Kirilly
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has spoken for the first time about the secret conception of his daughter Rebecca.
Rebecca, now 21, was born just weeks after Dutton’s first speech in 2002, but very little was known about her for many years.
She was born to another woman a year before Dutton married his wife Kirilly – circumstances the Liberal leader describes as “difficult”.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has spoken for the first time about the secret conception of his eldest daughter Rebecca
Mr and Mrs Dutton with Rebecca and sons Tom and Harry
“So Rebecca’s mom, Rachel, she and I weren’t together when she was born,” Mr. Dutton tells Annabel Crabb on ABC’s Kitchen Cabinet tonight.
‘And so it was, that was a difficult period. But Rebecca is now 21 and yes. I just became the most beautiful young lady. You describe it as a mistake at the time, but the best mistake I ever made. She’s just a beautiful girl.’
Crabb then explains to Mr. Dutton that his current wife Kirilly was “obviously hugely accepting of you being a one-year-old.”
He replies, “And yes, she’s a great wife and a great mother, and, you know, to the boys and to Rebecca, too.”
Mr and Mrs Dutton have two children together, sons Tom and Harry.
Mr Dutton was first elected to Parliament in November 2001 and made his first speech there in February 2002.
Mr Dutton married Kirilly in July 2003
Rebecca was born weeks later, but neither she nor her mother were mentioned in his speech. She didn’t appear in family photos online until she was a teenager.
Instead, he talked about his grandmother and siblings.
“My grandmother, who worked hard on the farm all her life, is joining me in the gallery today,” he said.
“It makes me very happy to see her well and enjoy this very proud moment for all of us. My parents, who have been my lifelong inspiration, are also with me today, as are my brother, sisters, family, and close friends—the people who have stood by me through the ups and downs, the highs and lows that life has brought me. has to offer. offer.’
Mr Dutton married Kirilly in July 2003.
He previously told the ABC about his own struggles as a teenager when his parents, Bruce and Ailsa, divorced.
“I think at the time I felt a little disappointed and angry because they failed to work things out,” he said.
“But you know there’s always money pressure when you’re growing up. We were very lucky with the environment we grew up in. There was a lot of love and support. And we were all treated very well.’
Kitchen Cabinet airs tonight at 8 p.m. on the ABC