Dutton warns Queensland LNP against complacency

The Defence Minister says the task of defending the Coalition’s stronghold at the next federal election ‘should not be underestimated’.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton at the QLD Liberal National Party Convention in Brisbane this year. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Defence Minister Peter Dutton says the task of defending the Coalition’s stronghold in Queensland at the next federal election “should not be underestimated” after a swag of new officials took party leadership at the weekend.

In an upheaval that reshapes Queensland’s Liberal National Party, former opposition leader Lawrence Springborg was elected party president, promising a new era of peace and stability.

In the years since delivering Scott Morrison’s “miracle” election win in 2019, Queensland’s LNP has been derailed by infighting, lawsuits and acrimony.

Mr Dutton, an architect of the organisational clear-out, said new leadership would allow the Morrison government to better defend its Queensland seats.

In an address at Brisbane’s annual LNP convention on Sunday, Mr Dutton said the party had endured a “very difficult period over the last 18 months”.

“The way in which we are able to rebuild and to deliver what we need to deliver to the Prime Minister in the course of the months ahead to the federal election shouldn’t be underestimated,” he said. “The next election is going to be about rebuilding our country, our economy and making sure we can stay safe and secure in a very and increasingly uncertain time.”

Bridging divisions between the organisational and parliamentary wings of the party was the first step to retaining government, Mr Morrison told the convention. “Bringing the party together, unifying behind the same shared cause, getting on the same page; that is how you win elections,” he said.

Returning Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, who served as a Queensland senator from 2005 to 2013, said it was important to “ bed down the changes and start getting our line and length right”.

“Both from an organisational level and also in a campaign mode to do our best to make sure that Queensland doesn’t become a consequence of policy aspirations from other places,” he said.

“Now is the time to do it before we go into what will obviously be a federal campaign in the next year, and bed things down and off we go to try and win an election,” he said.

Remarking on the LNP’s difference in performance at federal and state levels, Mr Joyce said Labor was more inspired by “inner Sydney or inner-urban Melbourne issues” and that Queensland Labor was more in touch with its voters.

“Anybody who takes their seat for granted is foolish, there is no such thing as a safe seat,” he said.

Queensland LNP President Lawrence Springborg. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Holding all 23 of the 30 federal Queensland seats will be crucial to the Coalition’s re-election prospects and Mr Dutton will be “very important” to that effort, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

One of Australia’s most polarising political figures, Mr Dutton’s popularity across the LNP’s factions was evident in the numerous rounds of applause he received from the floor of the convention.

“You see the response he got in there today,” Mr Joyce said.

“Matt Canavan and Dutton are seen as rock stars in Queensland. Why? Because they are strong, people don’t necessarily agree with everything they say, but they feel they are authentic and honest.

“After leaving with Dutton or Canavan, you don’t walk away wondering what their position is on anything.”

Personality is crucial to electoral success in Queensland, the political birthplace of Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter, Clive Palmer and Mr Joyce. Party sources say Mr Morrison’s ability to piggyback on Mr Dutton’s popularity would go a long way in the semi-urban parts of Queensland.

Mr Morrison told party faithful: “Peter and I are working incredibly closely on so many huge projects I can assure you.”