Peter Dutton says credible policies on the economy, tax and climate change will help win back Liberal voters as he rejected suggestions he had given up on the teal electorates and was trying to win government with a sole focus on the suburbs and regions.

Speaking after Saturday’s byelection loss in the outer suburban Melbourne seat of Dunkley raised questions about the Coalition’s strategy, the opposition leader said he was buoyed by strong swings back to the Liberal Party in booths that were at risk of going teal.