‘We have been defined by our opponents’: Dutton humbled in defeat

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Peter Dutton was dignified in defeat, taking responsibility for the Coalition’s campaign and apologising to those who ended up losing their seats – as he himself did in Dickson.

The first-term Liberal leader would not have expected to be making a concession speech at 9.30pm on election night. But there he was, in the sombre function room of a five-star Brisbane hotel, telling the party faithful he had already called Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on Labor’s victory.

Peter Dutton, flanked by his family, tells the party faithful he has conceded defeat.Credit: James Brickwood

Flanked by his wife and children, Dutton spoke initially as a national political leader, declaring his time as defence minister “the highlight of my career” and saying how lucky Australia was to have “those men and women in uniform to keep us safe”.

Then, little more than a minute into his speech, Dutton confirmed he had also called Ali France to congratulate her on winning his seat of Dickson. The Labor candidate had been successful in her third attempt, and Dutton had lost the seat he held for 24 years.

“Ali and I have been combatants for a number of elections,” he said.

“She will do a good job as a local member for Dickson, and I wish her all the very best.”

While largely gracious in defeat – he spoke of how proud Albanese’s mother would have been of him, and the tragedy of France losing her son – Dutton also made clear he felt Australians had been given a distorted view of the Coalition under his leadership.

“I love this country and have fought hard for it,” he said.

“We have been defined by our opponents in this election which is not a true story of who we are.

“But we will rebuild from here, and we will do that because we know our values, we know our beliefs, and we will always stick to them.”

The Labor candidate in Peter Dutton’s electorate of Dickson, Ali France, with a supporter at Bray Park State High School.

The party faithful had been slow to clap Dutton’s more heartfelt tributes to their opponents. Equally, when Albanese spoke to Labor faithful, he had to remind them to be gracious and diplomatic – although his mention of France was met with a loud and jubilant roar.

For the Coalition, it was an ominous Labour Day long weekend in Queensland, with close contests in a number of seats, and the Greens also losing ground to the governing party.

In Dickson alone, there was a swing of more than 10 per cent to Labor, with France and the teal independent candidate, Ellie Smith, capitalising on Dutton’s frequent absences from the electorate.

“After seven years of hard work, it feels pretty good,” France said, struggling to make herself heard over the party.

France, the daughter of a former state Labor MP, had reported “good vibes” at polling booths. She would later join supporters at a suburban bowls club, thanking them for their loyalty throughout multiple campaigns and vowing to put Dickson first.

A volunteer wearing a “Let’s Make Australia Happy” shirt outside a polling booth in Albany Creek, in Peter Dutton’s electorate of Dickson.

Leading a Coalition campaign for the first time meant Dutton spent most of his time away from Dickson. His absence was used against him; during Cyclone Alfred, Dutton was criticised for flying to Sydney for a party fundraiser, while he later told the Kyle and Jackie O radio show how much he loved Sydney. When the polarising FM radio hosts asked whether, if he became prime minister, he would live in The Lodge or harbourside Kirribilli House, Dutton was quick to declare he would “take Sydney any day over living in Canberra”.

At the time, Labor decried it as Dutton vowing to work from home, while promising a crackdown on public servants doing the same. His constituents in Dickson could be forgiven for thinking that, if the Coalition was successful, their local member would live and work somewhere else for three years.

By the time Dutton returned to Dickson on election day to lodge his vote, and hope for support from the “quiet Australians”, most votes had already been lodged and his campaign had been lost.

Labor supporters celebrate Ali France’s victory over Peter Dutton in Dickson.Credit: Joe Armao

Election day in Dickson came on Queensland’s third long weekend of the campaign, and Brisbane had as many visitors in town – for the NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium – as residents off somewhere else. That had made pre-poll centres particularly busy, and many polling booths unusually quiet.

In his concession speech, Dutton made no mention of any plans to return to public life. But the former police officer turned politician and businessman remained true to his Liberal ideals.

“Our Liberal families are hurting across the country tonight, including in my electorate of Dickson, and I want to say thank you very much to all of them,” he said.

“Our amazing people, dedicated to their country. Ultimately, we live in the best country in the world and I have always believed that and I always will.”

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