Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns Peter Dutton after major Liberal loss in Aston

The Prime Minister has suggested why he thinks a stronghold Liberal seat was lost in a historic event.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has hit out against Liberal leader Peter Dutton after a series of safe Liberal seats fell to Labor, claiming he “fails to be part of the solution”.

Labor candidate for Aston, Mary Doyle claimed a historic victory on Saturday night in the formerly Liberal stronghold seat of Aston.

It is the first time in over a century that a government has won a seat from opposition at a by-election.

While celebrating the win with the incumbent MP in Melbourne on Sunday morning, the Prime Minister did not waste the opportunity to slam the opposition leader.

PM Anthony Albanese has slammed Peter Dutton for the Liberal loss. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

“After ten years of being part of the problem, Peter Dutton now fails to be a part of the solution,” Albanese said.

The Prime Minister said he watched Mr Dutton’s press conference after Ms Doyle’s victory speech on Saturday night.

“I thought it was a moment of honesty from Peter Dutton when he said out loud what we have seen played out over the one year since he became leader of the Liberal party,” he said.

He recalled Peter Dutton saying his priority was ‘just keeping the Liberal Party together’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

Aston MP Mary Doyle claimed victory in Aston overnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

“He said his priority was just keeping the Liberal party together.

“Well Australians don’t want any major party that is only focused on themselves.

“What they want is a government and an internal government that’s focused on their needs and their issues.”

Mr Dutton fronted questions over his leadership on Sunday morning during a pre-planned interview with ABC Insiders.

It is the first time a by-election has swung to another party in over a century. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

Anthony Albanese is in Melbourne today with the Member-elect for Aston, Mary Doyle. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

“By not winning the election, we've failed the test set for us by the Victorian people,” he said.

“That’s the reality, now the question is how we rebuilOf d from here, the policies that we have, the brand rebuilding that we need to do in Victoria and it is a very significant issue for us.”

Host David Speers prompted the Liberal leader with comparisons to his bid for leadership after former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull resigned following the Longman by-election in 2018.

Peter Dutton on ABC Insiders said he believes he should stay as leader. Picture: ABC

“Last night was far worse for the Liberal party in the Aston by-election, why should you stay as leader,” Speers asked.

“Of course I should,” Dutton replied.

“I can tell you it makes me more determined to rebuild this party and be in a winning position by 2025.”

Originally published as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemns Peter Dutton after major Liberal loss in Aston