When Peter Dutton became Leader of the Opposition, what did you expect?

When he won the leadership battle, Peter Dutton could be regarded as the most unpopular politician in Australia. In a startling twist, he even overshadowed the unpopularity of Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce at the time.

Following a decisive defeat that resounded through the nation, signalling Australia’s stark discontent with the Coalition’s leadership, the Liberal Party, on May 30, 2022, made the astonishing choice to appoint this bizarre figure as its leader.

One might describe this decision as breathtakingly audacious, while another might muse that the position was simply left vacant, with no one else willing to step up. Some light-heartedly jested that Dutton was merely a spud yearning to reinvent himself as a sweet potato, showcasing an unexpected ambition to transform and thrive in a different light.

Mike Long on Facebook made this observation reasonably representative of public opinion:

“I can’t think of a name to call Dutton that wouldn’t be insulting to someone else; if you call him an arsehole, that’s insulting an absolute arsehole.”

I know I wrote much about Dutton, the man, after the election of May 5, 2022, but I need to say more about him and his party’s breathtaking appointment without labouring the point.

Barrie Cassidy, at the time, tweeted:

“Irrelevant. But tell me how someone who walks out of Parliament during the apology to Indigenous Australians and the stolen generations and says he was against changing the law around same-sex marriage is the next generation leadership?”

Conversely, Stephanie Dalzell, writing for ABC News, said New South Wales Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes echoed those comments:

“Peter Dutton, I think, is going to make an outstanding leader for the Liberal Party, and he is someone who is going to bring us back to that centre-right perspective as we look to rebuild into the future.”

(Scream) “Centre right.” Time would protest. “Far-right.”

I was indeed taken aback when I turned to Wikipedia and immersed myself in an exhaustive list of his crude and offensive racist comments, astonished by their persistence over time. A wave of disbelief washed over me as I pondered the implications. How could this be? Why does the Liberal Party not just tolerate individuals like him but actively elevate them to positions of authority? The answers elude me, shrouded in a perplexing mystery that demands exploration.

While it’s easy for individuals to craft a polished, more palatable image of him, I can’t help but wonder: why can’t people approach Canberra as their authentic selves? The same was said about Morrison and Abbott, after all.

As for Peter Dutton, my feelings toward him are far from favourable – it’s an understatement to say I’m not captivated by his demeanour. His long history of viewing his fellow humans as undeserving of compassion speaks volumes.

Let us be honest; the election was unfortunate for the Liberals, forcing them to face a painful reality. Their moderate faction was demolished by teal independents and rejected by Chinese-Australian voters, turned off by deplorable diplomacy that handed seats like Bennelong and Chisholm to Labor. It has been further ravaged by a wave of steadfast, genuine individuals who can no longer tolerate Dutton’s relentless transition towards the far right.

Evaluating a person’s actions and words requires a careful examination of the evidence, all while acknowledging that opinions can evolve with the emergence of new information. Yet, as one delves into the chronological narrative in Wikipedia, it becomes increasingly challenging to muster any sense of admiration or praise for him. The timeline paints a picture that often leans towards disillusionment, making it difficult to overlook the inconsistencies and disappointments that define his journey.

To make my article relevant, please read the link provided.

Here is a small sample that tells you the essence of Peter Dutton and what he represents:

2016 News Corp Sunday political editor Samantha Maiden wrote a column critical of Jamie Briggs. Dutton drafted a text message to Briggs describing Maiden as a “mad fucking witch” but inadvertently sent it to Maiden. Maiden accepted an apology from Dutton.

Before the 2016 election, Dutton said of refugees; “many… won’t be numerate or literate in their own language, let alone English,” and “These people would be taking Australian jobs.”

On June 5 2015, Dutton denied claims made by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young that she was spied on during a visit to Nauru.

The Immigration Department and Wilson Security later confirmed the spying claims.

I can only conclude that the man is undeserving of any leadership role anywhere. He is a rudimentary man of little world acumen, loudmouthed, offensive, and nauseating. The Liberal Party of Menzies would not have tolerated a man of the reputation of Morrison, much less Dutton.

Character is a combination of traits that carve the outlines of life, govern moral choices, and infuse personal and professional conduct. It’s an elusive thing, easily cloaked or submerged by the theatrics of politics. But unexpected moments can sometimes reveal the fibres from which it is woven. If you look at Dutton’s political life, any serious analysis will tell you that he is a shady character unfit to be the Prime Minister of Australia.

After watching his press conference on the Monday following the 2022 election, I was convinced he would be the same hostile opposition leader we have come to know over a long period. I was not wrong. His narrative has been the same as Morrison’s and Abbott’s, condemning Labor for all their failures, real or imagined or lying-in instances where he thought he might be advantaged. He is a clone of the former PM but with a slower way of saying the same thing.

“We will have a huge mess to clean up in three years”. He spoke. (paraphrased) At the time, he continued to oppose Labor’s climate change policy. That he came up with a stupid Nuclear Policy came as no surprise. Such is the quality of his and his party’s thinking.

His decision to go to this election without policies is another display of LNP arrogance.

His view on an Indigenous voice to Parliament was simply nothing more than a “how does it advantage us”, nothing more, nothing less. There was no consideration for the well-being and advancement of our Indigenous folk. Nothing at all.

He has no policies, and neither did Abbott, who believed conservatives deserved to govern and make changes when power is obtained. Voters might not know until after the election how many of them might lose their jobs, but really, it’s none of their business, is it?

It took the Liberals all summer to devise a Friday lunch menu of detail-free potato broth.

Who can explain the science of political chameleons?

My thought for the day

It may seem that governing is solely concerned with addressing problems as they arise. But occasionally, an exceptional leader emerges with loftier ideals and a vision for a better tomorrow.

 

Also by John Lord: Peter Dutton: Then and now, always the wrong man for the job

 

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