Federal Election 2025: Unseated Dutton concedes after Coalition bloodbath

Peter Dutton has conceded the federal election after a shock nationwide swing toward Labor unseated him, saying it was not the result they wanted.

Peter Dutton has conceded the federal election after a shock nationwide swing to Labor saw him and several senior Coalition MPs unseated.

“Tonight’s not the night that we wanted for the Liberal Party or for our Coalition or, indeed, for our country,” the Opposition Leader, surrounded by his family, said on Saturday night.

“But we worked hard every day over the course of the last three years to do our best for our amazing country.”

Mr Dutton congratulated Anthony Albanese and Ali France, the Labor candidate who defeated him in Dickson.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has conceded the federal election after a shock nationwide swing to Labor. Picture: Adam Head / NewsWire

“Now we didn’t do well enough during this campaign — that much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that.” he said.

“Earlier on, I called the Prime Minister to congratulate him on his success tonight.

“It’s an historic occasion for the Labor Party, and we recognise that.”

On a personal note, Mr Dutton said he told Mr Albanese that “his mum would be incredibly proud of his achievement tonight, and he should be very proud of what he’s achieved”.

Of the woman who ousted him after 24 years, he said Ms France “will do a good job as like as a local member”.

“She lost her son, Henry, which is a tragic circumstance that no parent should ever go through,” Mr Dutton said.

“And equally, I said to to Ali that her son Henry would be incredibly proud of her tonight, and she’ll do a good job as a local member for Dickson, and I wish her all the very best.”

Peter Dutton is hugged by one of his after conceding the election and his own seat. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Labor pays tribute

Senior Labor MPs have paid tribute to their longtime parliamentary rival.

Speaking to Nine’s election panel, Chris Bowen stressed that everyone on the ballot were “human beings”.

“I agree with about one per cent of what Peter Dutton thinks, but he has served his country for 25 years, and he has sacrificed time away from his family,” the Climate Change Minister said.

“He’s been up early in the morning, travelling around Australia as defence minister and a range of portfolios.”

Mr Bowen said it was “a very tough night” for Mr Dutton.

“He went in today … a little while ago maybe thinking he’d end up as prime minister,” he said.

“On a personal level, whenever I’ve interacted with him, you know, on aeroplanes or in parliament corridors, he’s been entirely civil, polite, appropriate, a decent human being.

“My thoughts are with him and his family.”

Katy Gallagher struck a similar tone, telling the same panel she did not “take any pleasure in seeing the individual losses”.

“I mean, obviously, we’ve campaigned for a Labor victory, and so tonight we’re pleased with the result,” the Finance Minister said.

“But, you know, in a strange way and probably Australia’s strangest workplace, we are all colleagues.

“We share time together. We work together on things. So yeah, I think it’s very, very difficult for those that lose their seats.”