Federal election 2019: Deakin electorate, where Michael Sukkar faces Shireen Morris

One of the architects of Peter Dutton’s shambolic leadership challenge has won a tough fight to hold on to his seat despite polling showing a swing to Labor.

Michael Sukkar has hung on to his Melbourne electorate of Deakin despite an earlier poll showing a swing to Labor.

The Liberal MP was one of the chief architects of Peter Dutton’s shambolic leadership challenge last year, which plunged the government into chaos.

Mr Sukkar faced a fierce challenge from Labor hopeful Shireen Morris, a local lawyer, for the past eight months.

Michael Sukkar was dumped from the frontbench after his shambolic campaign to install Peter Dutton as Liberal leader. Picture: AAP

Labor has only won in Deakin twice in the past 80 years but Dr Morris proved popular among voters on the campaign trail.

Despite Mr Sukkar holding the seat on a 6.4 per cent margin, there was a drop in support for the Liberal Party in recent months.

His backing of Mr Dutton, the Home Affairs Minister, to be leader of the party and become PM last year put off locals.

It’s something the Labor Party sought to remind them of, with saturation advertising pointing to his role in the “chaos” that ensued.

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FEDERAL

2019

NSW marginal seats

Deakin

Labor’s candidate in Deakin Shireen Morris is a local lawyer who has proved popular during the campaign. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Prime Minister Scott Morrison campaigned in Deakin to support embattled Michael Sukkar. Picture: AAP

Mr Sukkar was also a staunch opponent of marriage equality but promised he would do what the electorate wished.

But when Deakin voted in favour of same-sex marriage at the postal plebiscite, Mr Sukkar abstained from the parliamentary vote.

“With same-sex marriage, people are still really hurt by what the sitting member did,” Dr Morris told Channel 9.

“Instead of voting yes, Michael Sukkar abstained and ran out of the chamber with Tony Abbott … people are still raising that with me.”

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Labor has seized on anger in the electorate over Michael Sukkar’s role in Peter Dutton’s leadership challenge. Picture: AAP

Climate change also emerged as a key issue during the campaign and Mr Sukkar is a noted climate sceptic.

He also supported comments made by Mr Dutton that allowing Lebanese-Muslims to immigrate to Australia in the 1970s had been “a mistake”.

Election Day in Deakin was marred by a number of Dr Morris’ election signs being graffitied to make it look like she’s wearing an Islamic headdress.

ABC’s Patricia Karvelas called the graffiti “repulsive” while former NSW Premier turned senator Kristina Keneally called it “disgusting”.

Originally published as Federal election 2019: Deakin electorate, where Michael Sukkar faces Shireen Morris