Victoria’s Liberal Party chairman has described federal opposition leader Peter Dutton as “surprisingly nice” in a disappointing endorsement.
When asked his opinion on Mr. Dutton, Greg Mirabella told ABC’s Q+A on Monday night that there is a big difference between a politician’s ability and his electability.
Host Stan Grant noted that his comments were far from a ‘sounding endorsement’ of Mr Dutton’s future as leader of the federal Liberal party, following his party’s historic defeat in Saturday night’s Aston by-election.
The Labor Party ran a very personal campaign against Peter Dutton. The booths were covered in the most unflattering photo van [him] they could find,” Mr. Mirabella said.
“Peter, he’s surprisingly nice.”
Mr Dutton (pictured with his wife and children) has worked to soften his hard-man image since taking over the leadership of his party
Labor’s victory in Aston last weekend was the first time in more than a century that a sitting government won an opposition seat in a by-election
The comments drew audience laughter and a disbelieving look from Grant, who said, “I don’t know if that’s a resounding endorsement.”
Mr Mirabella said he has ‘sympathy’ with Mr Dutton following the bout of personal attacks during the campaign.
He further noted, twice, that the opposition leader ‘has a good mind for radio’.
The Liberal Party and Mr. Dutton himself are dogged by questions about how they will recover from sweeping losses at the federal and state levels.
“Defeat is an orphan,” Mr. Mirabella said. “We will do some research and try to establish it.
‘Our brand, people don’t buy what we sell. They haven’t been for a while and we have to fix that.’
Mirabella said the Liberal Party is “alive and well” despite the work that needs to be done to win back voters.
The Liberal Party has come to a standstill. We haven’t really evolved and adapted to the social media era. Our values have not changed and our policies for the future are not there.
Mr Mirabella said he has ‘sympathy’ for Mr Dutton following the onslaught of personal jokes he received during the campaign
Peter Dutton (center right) is pictured with his wife Kirilly (center left) celebrating winning Dickson’s electorate against Ali France in the 2019 federal election
Labour’s victory in Aston last weekend was the first time in more than a century that a sitting government won an opposition seat in a by-election.
While Mr Albanian has promoted Labor as a positive force for change, the coalition – once seen as a safe pair of hands – has lost the trust of even once loyal voters.
The loss leaves the Liberal Party with just two seats in the entire Melbourne metropolitan area after underperforming Victoria for 20 years.
When the outcome became clear, Federal Liberal MP Keith Wolahan was one of the first to support his party leader.
He said: ‘I saw good and bad leaders in the most difficult circumstances and he has all the qualities of a good leader.’
His comments were supported by fellow Victorian and Senator Jane Hume, who said she “cannot imagine there being any mood in the party room for (a change of leader).”
“There’s no doubt this is a blow, but he’s a leader with a solid team behind him,” she told the ABC.
Peter Dutton (right) is pictured with his wife Kirilly. Ms Dutton said ‘he has a great sense of humor – very dry and witty’
Ms Hume said she was sad to see Roshena Campbell lose the seat but denied the result would lead to a move by Mr Dutton as leader.
“There’s no commotion in the banquet hall,” she said. “He has a united team.”
There is no obvious replacement waiting in the wings to replace Mr. Dutton.
Mr Dutton has worked to soften his hard man image since taking over the leadership of his party.
When he volunteered for the position, he said while the public had grown accustomed to seeing him in “difficult portfolios” like defense and home affairs, he hoped to show them another side.
The loss leaves the Liberal Party with just two seats in the entire Melbourne metropolitan area after underperforming Victoria for 20 years
Greg Mirabella told ABC’s QandA on Monday night that there is a clear difference between a politician’s ability and his eligibility when asked his opinion of Mr Dutton
“I hope now that as I move away from such difficult portfolios, the Australian public can see the rest of my character, the side that my family, friends and colleagues see,” he said.
“The side my community sees where they elected me eight times. I’m from the suburbs and I’ve never changed my values or forgotten where I’m from.”
His wife Kirilly, a successful businesswoman, gave her insight into the man vying to become Prime Minister one day, revealing that he has a “great sense of humour.”
She said he was incredibly compassionate, especially when it came to protecting women and children.
He hides many of his emotions from the public, but he is most distressed by reports of children or women who have been sexually assaulted or harmed. It obviously stems from his time as a police officer working in that area, but it’s also because he was the eldest of five children growing up in the suburbs,” she said.