Peter Dutton stands firm after Julian Leeser resigns from Liberal front bench over Voice decision

The Opposition Leader is holding firm on his Voice to parliament stance, despite new fractures emerging within the party.

Peter Dutton is standing firm on his party room’s decision to actively campaign against the Voice to parliament referendum – despite the resignation of a senior frontbencher.

Julian Leeser quit the shadow cabinet and his roles as shadow attorney-general and spokesperson for Indigenous affairs on Tuesday.

Mr Leeser – a constitutional conservative – has spent a decade working on making a Voice reality and said while the government’s model was not perfect, he would campaign in the “Yes” camp.

The Liberal Party last week decided to not back the proposed model, saying instead it wanted local and regional voices. The position is binding for Liberal frontbenchers, but backbenchers are – as is usual party room practice – able to cross the floor if they wish.

Mr Leeser now joins Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer and NSW Senator Andrew Bragg in breaking ranks with the party room, indicating they would actively support the “Yes” vote.

It follows former Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt quitting the party, and the country’s most senior Liberal in office – Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff – stating his support for the Voice.

Julian Leeser has resigned from shadow cabinet. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Symons

Mr Dutton said he supported Mr Leeser’s decision, and denied there was any “rancour” or bitterness.

He said the “overwhelming majority” of the Liberal Party supported the decision to go against the Voice, and that Mr Leeser’s departure from the frontbench wouldn’t change the party’s position.

“Our determination is to make sure that we have local and regional voice – as we want to listen to those people in the communities and get the best possible outcomes for them,” Mr Dutton said.

“The Prime Minister’s proposal, a Canberra Voice, will not deliver that outcome.

“The biggest constitutional change in our country’s history is being proposed here, and needs to be scrutinised.”

Mr Leeser also said he supported Mr Dutton as leader, but that on the issue “we find ourselves in different places”.

“People of goodwill can disagree,” he said.

Mr Leeser said he believes the ‘time for the Voice has come’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Symons

Originally published as Peter Dutton stands firm after Julian Leeser resigns from Liberal front bench over Voice decision