Victorian Liberals are urging Peter Dutton to steer the party away from culture war politics and focus on a credible economic message to win back seats lost to teal MPs, describing Saturday’s Dunkley byelection loss as “green shoots” for the Coalition.

Strong blue-collar swings for Liberal candidate Nathan Conroy at booths such as Langwarrin in the electorate lifted spirits within the Opposition, with one MP suggesting the open hostility to former leader Scott Morrison was giving way to “begrudging respect” for Mr Dutton.