Federal election 2022: Who will replace Scott Morrison?

After Prime Minister Scott Morrison lost the election in a stunning result that saw other Liberal MPs also lose their seats, there is one MP who can take the reins.

FORMER Defence Minister Peter Dutton is the early favourite to become Opposition Leader, after vanquished prime minister Scott Morrison vacated the Liberal Party leadership.

The Queensland-based Mr Dutton, the conservative standard-bearer for the party, had been expected to enter a ballot with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg for the leadership role in the event of a Liberal loss.

But with Mr Frydenberg likely swept away by a teal tidal wave, Mr Dutton seems to have a clear run to the top.

Mr Dutton would be expected to steer the party to the Right, a move that would likely please the Coaliton’s junior party the Nationals.

Defence minister Peter Dutton is another serious contender for the PM’s job. Picture Lachie Millard

Mr Dutton, 51, is a former police officer and small business owner with a business degree, and entered Parliament in 2001. A former Immigration and Home Affairs minister, he has two children with wife Kirrilly, and a third child from his first marriage.

Potentials for deputy could include former energy minister Angus Taylor, and former assistant defence minister Andrew Hastie.

Mr Dutton’s seat of Dickson, north of Brisbane, is marginal and was under threat from Labor’s Ali France, but the LNP expects it will swing back strongly in postal votes, and that Mr Dutton is secure.

Potentials for deputy could include Assistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie. Picture: David Swift

Potentials for deputy could include Energy Minister Angus Taylor. Picture: David Mariuz

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Originally published as Federal election 2022: Who will replace Scott Morrison?