James Campbell: Peter Dutton’s loss was Everest for the Liberals — and it should force a full party rethink

The psychological shock of the scale of Peter Dutton’s loss should be profound. In fact, it should force a rethink of everything in Liberal world, writes James Campbell.

Two hours after polls closed across the eastern states it was clear only a tsunami of pre-poll Coalition votes would give Peter Dutton any chance of moving into the Lodge.

Across every state and territory the swing to Labor from people who voted on Saturday was exceeding the ALP’s wildest expectations.

Even in Victoria, the state which had promised so much for the Liberals only a few weeks ago, there was a swing towards the government.

\Opposition Leader Peter Dutton concedes defeat in the federal election. Picture: Patrick Hamilton

In politics there are defeats and, then there are defeats.

Losing to Anthony Albanese three years ago was bad but after being re-elected twice and carrying the baggage of a highly unpopular leader, it was sort of to be expected.

This is a different sort of defeat.

Yes, the mountain they needed to climb was high – 20 seats.

But the Liberals allowed themselves to dream that because of the fall in Australians’ standards of living, against all odds, it might be climbed.

But losing like this – to a man who, after three years as Prime Minister they have nothing but contempt for — is going to hurt.

An emotional Anthony Albanese celebrates his election win. Picture: Saeed Khan

Anthony Albanese celebrates his win with partner Jodie Haydon, son Nathan and Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Picture: Saeed Khan

For weeks Peter Dutton has barnstormed the country taking every opportunity to tell Australians Anthony Albanese was “weak”.

Their response has been to re-elect him with what might end up being a bigger majority.

And if the swings playing out across the eastern states hold up, not only will the Coalition have lost but they won’t even have the consolation of knowing they are much closer to government, than where they are today. It’s one thing not to win your target seats, it’s another to go backwards.

The psychological shock of this should be profound, and force a rethink of everything in Liberal world – the policies, the personnel, the membership, the campaign infrastructure, the way they speak to everyone under 40-years old.

Everything. The depressing thing is, it probably won’t.

Originally published as James Campbell: Peter Dutton’s loss was Everest for the Liberals — and it should force a full party rethink