Dutton reveals he will support Rennick, if preselection re-run is held

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has revealed he will support a Queensland Senator who was booted from the LNP ticket if a revote is held.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton will support controversial Senator Gerard Rennick if a revote is required to be held for the LNP Senate preselection.

It follows allegations of voter irregularities in the July 7 preselection, in which Senator Rennick lost his spot on the ticket to LNP treasurer Stuart Fraser.

There was a strong push against Senator Rennick by some parts of the party, who were angry that he took part in a vote blockade against the former Morrison Government over vaccine mandates.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

But others were strongly backing him in, arguing he could reach part of the voter base that would otherwise turn to fringe parties and One Nation.

Mr Dutton said whether or not a new vote was to be held would be up to the party.

But, he confirmed that if required he would support Senator Rennick, as he did in the original vote.

“Senator Rennick’s done a great job for the people of Queensland,” Mr Dutton said on Monday.

“I supported him in the preselection and if there is to be a re-run of the preselection, I’d certainly support him in that as well.”

Senator Gerard Rennick in the Senate Chamber in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

An LNP spokesman said the party did not comment on candidate selection processes.

There was just three votes between Senator Rennick and Mr Fraser in the preselection.

An official appeal to the preselection result has been made and the LNP’s dispute committee is currently investigating the claims.

Under the party’s constitution, any candidate has a right to appeal if they believe a serious error has been made.

There is no specific time frame for when the dispute committee has to finalise its recommendation, but it is understood to be prioritising this situation.