Peter Dutton’s dad Bruce going ‘really good’ after health scare

Peter Dutton has revealed how his dad Bruce is doing in the wake of a health scare which rattled the Opposition leader so badly he almost pulled out of his first debate with Anthony Albanese.

Peter Dutton has given an update on his dad’s health, after he suffered a heart attack earlier this month.

Bruce Dutton, 79, had the heart attack just hours before his son was due to face Anthony Albanese in the first leaders debate of the 2025 election campaign.

Mr Dutton ultimately went on to lose debate after deciding to soldier on as his dad, who he referred to as a “tough bugger”, was surrounded by the rest of the family.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton has given a health update on his dad Bruce. Picture: NewsWire

Speaking on Paul Murray Live, the Opposition leader said his father was “really good” despite the health scare.

“(He is) back home, and he turns 80 on Monday, so I think we’re going to try and go for a steak,” Mr Dutton said.

Earlier in the show, Mr Dutton shared a story from his childhood that he admitted his parents “won’t be happy with me conveying”.

Mr Dutton’s wife Kirilly has been a support throughout the Opposition Leader’s campaign. Picture: Newswire

He said if the Dutton’s were holidaying on the Gold Coast, when pokies weren’t allowed in Queensland, his parents would drive across the border to play the slot machines.

“We’d have to sit in the car with one parent while the other went in and play some pokies,” Mr Dutton said laughing.

“Sorry mum and dad for relaying that.”

The Liberal leader is one of Bruce’s five children with the Dutton family patriarch working as a builder for most of his life.

Originally published as Peter Dutton’s dad Bruce going ‘really good’ after health scare