Jim Chalmers and Peter Dutton to become two of most powerful men in Australian politics

Queensland is set to be home to two of the most powerful men in politics after the election, writes Matthew Killoran.

Queensland is set to be home to two of the most powerful men in politics after the election.

Logan lad Jim Chalmers will be the next Treasurer of Australia, controlling the purse strings of the nation, while Defence Minister Peter Dutton is widely tipped to be the next Opposition leader.

Mr Chalmers will be the first federal treasurer from Queensland since Wayne Swan and only the second since Bill Hayden in 1975.

This gives the sunshine state a powerful voice at the table under an Albanese Government, which can only be to its benefit.

Jim Chalmers at his election party. Picture Mark Cranitch.

In the lead up to the March budget Mr Chalmers has promised to give the state a “much more prominent voice” at the table.

He will have his first opportunity to prove this commitment as early as October this year, when he is expected to hand down his first Budget – and the first Labor Budget in almost a decade.

It will be important for him to keep in mind the voice of Queenslanders outside of the southeast, where Labor’s powerbase now resides.

Mr Chalmers made dozens of trips into the regions in the past three years, which shows he is prepared to listen and engage.

Peter Dutton with his wife Kirilly. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Meanwhile, already the most powerful Coalition MP in the state, Mr Dutton could rise to be the leader of the Liberal party nationally.

It will see him be able to set the agenda, determine the new Opposition’s attack against a first-term Labor Government which could be hanging on in minority or with a slim majority.

Again, this will bring a prominent voice in backing Queensland.

Scott Morrison is all but certain to resign as leader, and likely from parliament.

Josh Frydenberg, who was seen as the most likely other contender to be Opposition leader, has lost his seat of Kooyong.

It leaves conservative Angus Taylor as Mr Dutton’s mostly likely competition for the top job.

But Mr Dutton has strong support among both conservative and moderates, and fell just shy when he challenged Malcolm Turnbull for leadership in the 2018 spill.

There will be will be a lot riding on the shoulders of these two Queenslanders and great expectations.

Originally published as Jim Chalmers and Peter Dutton to become two of most powerful men in Australian politics