Editor's view: Dutton shows character after Plibersek’s cheap sledge

New Liberal Leader Peter Dutton was wise to move on from Tanya Plibersek’s decision to liken him to a Harry Potter villain. He must focus on connecting with the suburbs instead of social media echo chambers, writes The Editor.

Character matters.

And you do have to wonder about what Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek’s decision to liken, live on radio, likely new Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s appearance to Harry Potter villain Voldemort says about her character.

Ms Plibersek has apologised. As she should have. Her leader, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, says that should be the end of the matter.

We are not so sure. If the genders and parties were reversed, this sledge would have resulted in universal outrage. Anyway.

Mr Dutton has shown character in accepting the apology and just staying focused on what matters – the wants and needs of the voters, not some “hilarious” material better suited to being spouted by low-rent wannabe comedians in the Twitter echo chamber.

He says his focus as leader will be to ensure the Liberal Party he leads would be connected to the suburbs – “where I have come from” – and those “aspirational hardworking” people who live there. He is right. This is where the next election will be won.

New Liberal Leader Peter Dutton. Picture: Zak Simmonds

As even Prime Minister Albanese would privately concede, this election was a bizarre one in the way that the votes were translated to seats won.

The Liberal vote went backwards, sure – but the Labor Party has won office on the back of its lowest primary vote in 70 years. The Nationals meanwhile held all their seats, and the LNP will still hold 21 of Queensland’s 30 seats.

This was an election that far too many people have been far too quick to paint as a sign the Australian electorate is turning Green, or at least teal. It clearly was not. About 1.6 million Australians gave their first preference to teal or Greens candidates. More than eight million voted for the Liberals, Labor and the Nationals.

And as Senator Matt Canavan points out on the opposite page, far more people gave their first preference to both One Nation and to Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party than they did Teal candidates.

Even regardless of those facts, the next election due in 2025 will likely be a very different one – with cost-of-living pressures only set to get worse and interest rates certain to soar.

This will mean an even stronger vote for the major party that people best believe will be able to help ease those pressures on the household budget – and that will particularly be the case in those electorates where people have to watch their cash closely: and that is the vast majority of electorates, not just the rich ones that have flirted this time with the teals and Greens. (The seats that shifted from Liberal to teal at this election were literally those home to the wealthiest and most educated Australians.)

Mr Dutton understands this. His instinct on Saturday night was to point out that next time it would be about the “suburbs, families and small businesses”.

Prime Minister Albanese no doubt understands this too, but as the incumbent he will need to stay focused on keeping a lid on inflation – as his government will be the one now blamed if things go pear-shaped.

Yes, one-third of voters did not give their first preference to one of the two major parties at this election. But that suggests a general apathy or perhaps dissatisfaction with Labor and the Liberals rather than a definitive genesis of a new political calculus.

Voters will respond to those politicians who between now and 2025 are actually listening to their concerns – rather than getting caught up in winning likes and followers in the digital social media echo chambers.

BRAVERY IN ABUSE BATTLE

Queensland MP Melissa McMahon must be applauded for her bravery in speaking out about the sexual abuse she kept secret for 40 years.

Ms McMahon on Thursday revealed in parliament she hit “rock bottom” after she was found unresponsive on the floor of her home by her own children, and advised she would seek a leave of absence to address her mental health.

Her moving speech, in which she detailed how she was raped and abused from the age of five, can only be described as brave and inspiring.

“I will recover loudly so others don’t die quietly,” she said.

For other abuse survivors, it will signal they are not alone. And they have a voice in parliament to advocate for them.

We wish Ms McMahon all the best.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us