Peter Dutton’s father Bruce rushed to hospital after heart attack hours before first debate

Peter Dutton’s father was rushed to hospital in Queensland after suffering a heart attack shortly before the first debate of the election campaign.

Peter Dutton has choked up talking about his “tough bugger” dad Bruce after the 80-year-old suffered a heart attack just before the leaders’ debate on Tuesday night.

The Opposition Leader’s father Bruce Dutton was rushed to hospital in Queensland after suffering a heart attack, reportedly just one hour before the debate began.

“He’s stoic. He’s a tough bugger. He’s worked hard all of his life, and he’s been an amazing dad,” an emotional Mr Dutton told reporters on the campaign trail in Sydney on Wednesday.

“Of course you think about him. But he’s … fine and he’s doing well.”

When asked if he return to Brisbane to visit his dad, he said he would monitor the situation.

“I’ve spoken to Dad this morning, and I’ve got amazing siblings and my sisters are with dad at the moment so I will monitor that.”

Mr Dutton revealed he considered pulling out of the first debate of the election campaign after learning of his 80-year-old dad’s medical incident.

He was in a stable condition as of 9pm on Tuesday.

Mr Dutton was informed of the incident just minutes before the debate was set to kick off.

Peter Dutton has taken part in the debate, despite receiving news of his father’s medical incident just minutes before it started. Picture: NewsWire / Thomas Lisson

Peter Dutton with his children Tom, Harry and Rebecca.

When asked how his father was faring during an appearance on Nova’s Fitzy, Wippa and Kate Ritchie show in Sydney, Mr Dutton said his dad’s health was good.

“He is a great man, and he’ll be fine,” he said.

“Look, I thought, ‘Do I pull out of the debate?’, but my sisters were up there with him and giving me regular reports, which was good.

“He’s a great man, and I love him very much.”

The first leaders debate began at 7.30pm on Tuesday, where there was no mention of the health incident by host Keiran Gillbert, Mr Dutton or Mr Albanese.

In a video posted to social media, Mr Dutton said he was ready for the debate.

“This is a really important debate, and a really important election for our country,” he said from the green room of the debate site.

“There is a lot of economic uncertainty and a lot of families who have been really hurt under this government.”

Earlier this year, Mr Dutton spoke of his admiration for his father, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that “my dad and I started literally with nothing”.

“[Bruce] worked seven days a week and he has done since he left school at a very young age, and he and I worked very closely together, went into business together when he and mum separated in 1987. That’s what happened,” he said.

Peter Dutton with wife Kirilly, daughter Rebecca and sons Tom and Harry in 2022. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Peter Dutton with his wife Kirilly

Mr Dutton’s colleagues have rallied in support since news of the health incident broke, with Liberal Senator Jane Hume describing it as “incredibly sad”.

“I’m sure that there will be updates throughout the day but I think you can rest assured that the fact that Peter fronted up to the debate after hearing that news (and) performed exceptionally well, is demonstrative of just how dedicated he is to the job that he has, and the kind of prime minister that he will be,” Ms Hume said on Sunrise on Wednesday morning.

Nationals colleague Matt Canavan, speaking to Sky News, shared his well wishes to Mr Dutton’s family.

“My thoughts and prayers go to the Dutton family tonight,” he said.

“I just hope they get through this and Peter’s father recovers.”

Speaking about his father’s relationship with his children, Mr Dutton said Bruce is really “really proud” his 20-year-old son Harry commenced an carpentry apprenticeship.

“I think my dad is really proud of that because none of us went on to a construction career, and I think dad sort of takes a lot of pride in the discussions you can have with Harry,” he said.

“My siblings and I always joke about dad going into a restaurant or into a building somewhere, and he’s checking out the corners and checking out whether this, this is plum, or that’s straight, and now Harry (has) started to do the same which has been a bit comical.”