Labor’s attack on Peter Dutton’s eligibility is a two-edge sword for Malcolm Turnbull

Turnbull’s hesitation in Parliament to defend his former minister was viewed poorly. Picture: AAP

Labor’s attack on Peter Dutton’s eligibility to sit in Parliament is a two-edged sword for Malcolm Turnbull: it can provide the means for a desperately needed reprieve for the Prime Minister but also risks dragging him into an ALP-inspired political assassination.

Dutton insists the challenge to eligibility under the dreaded section 44 of the constitution because of private trust investments earning “profit under the Crown” is baseless, was dealt with last year and he’s backed by legal advice.

Labor has opportunistically revived questions about Dutton’s investments in child care centres which receive government payments as it attempts to damage the leadership contender and draw out the competition between Turnbull and Dutton for as long as possible.

The ironic use of Section 44 – which damaged Bill Shorten over Labor MPs ineligibility – works perfectly for Labor because it has the potential sideline Dutton mid-challenge and prolong the Liberal leadership battle.

Labor is “just there to help”.

The temptation for Turnbull is that his immediate interests coincide with Labor’s attempt to damage his leadership rival and could provide the much-needed delay he needs to regroup his forces and buttress support.

But with Coalition MPs already accusing Turnbull of being in cahoots with Labor or using the Section 44 argument as “an insurance policy” against Dutton.

Turnbull’s hesitation in Parliament to defend his former minister was viewed poorly and seeking advice was deemed as further betrayal.

It has ended badly with Dutton garnering more support for his leadership position.