2022 Liberal Party of Australia
leadership election
Leadership election
← 2018 30 May 2022
 
Candidate Peter Dutton
Caucus vote Unopposed
Seat Dickson (Qld.)
Faction National Right
Leader before election

Scott Morrison

 Elected Leader

Peter Dutton

Deputy leadership election
← 2018 30 May 2022
 
Candidate Sussan Ley
Caucus vote Unopposed
Seat Farrer (NSW)
Faction Centre Right
Deputy Leader before election

Josh Frydenberg

 Elected Deputy Leader

Sussan Ley

A leadership election of the Liberal Party of Australia was held on 30 May 2022,[1] following the defeat of the Scott Morrison government at the 2022 federal election and the resignation of Morrison as party leader.[2] The newly elected leader would become Leader of the Opposition to the Labor Party government of Anthony Albanese. A separate leadership spill for the Liberal Party's Coalition partner National Party was also held on the same day.

Peter Dutton was elected unopposed as leader, while Sussan Ley was elected unopposed as deputy leader.[3] Dutton, who is from Queensland, is the first leader outside of New South Wales to lead the Liberal Party since Alexander Downer in 1995 from South Australia. Simon Birmingham was re-elected leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate.[4][5]

Dutton is only the second Liberal leader after Downer outside of New South Wales and Victoria. Notwithstanding the party's inaugural leader and deputy leader Robert Menzies and Eric Harrison who had continued with their leadership positions from the previous United Australia Party, the election of Dutton as leader and Ley as his deputy marks the first time that both a new leader and new deputy leader were elected unopposed simultaneously.

Background

After the governing Liberal–National coalition lost power at the 2022 federal election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced his resignation as Liberal leader on election night.[6] He had led the party since 2018 and been Prime Minister since Malcolm Turnbull opted not to contest the second of two leadership spills in 2018.[7]

Meanwhile, deputy leader and outgoing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg lost his seat of Kooyong in the election, leaving the position open for election.[8] He was considered a likely successor to Morrison if he had been re-elected to Parliament.[9]

Candidates

Peter Dutton, Minister for Defence during the Morrison government, has been seen as the front runner to lead the Liberal Party following Morrison's resignation and Frydenberg's defeat.[10][11] Outgoing Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor, Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, and Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer have also been posited as potential candidates for the leadership.[12][13] Speculated candidates for the deputy leadership include Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley and Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston.[14][15]

Leadership

Declared

Name Positions Faction Announced
Peter Dutton Minister for Defence (2021–2022)
MP for Dickson, Queensland (2001–present) 		National Right 26 May 2022[16]

Declined

Deputy leadership

Declared

Name Positions Faction Announced
Sussan Ley Minister for the Environment (2019–2022)
MP for Farrer, New South Wales (2001–present) 		Centre Right 27 May 2022[20]

Declined

Reactions

Due to Dutton being a staunch conservative from the Right faction of the Liberal Party, Dutton's election as leader of the Liberal Party was received negatively by many.

Federal politicians

Labor minister Tanya Plibersek compared Dutton to Lord Voldemort. In a radio interview, she stated:

"I think there will be a lot of children who have watched a lot of Harry Potter films who will be very frightened of what they are seeing on TV at night. I am saying he looks a bit like Voldemort. We will see whether he can do what he promised he would do when he was last running for leader, which is smile more."[21]

Plibersek later apologised. In a radio interview, Dutton called the claims "unfortunate" but "water off a duck's back", also noting that he wasn't "bald by choice" and was diagnosed with a skin condition several years ago.[21] Plibersek's apology was welcomed by newly-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an interview with ABC News.[21]

Outgoing leader Scott Morrison and Moderate faction leader Simon Birmingham congratulated the party's new leadership team.[22]

State politicians

Former Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan referred to Dutton as an "extremist" and criticised his election as Liberal leader. He stated:

"He's an extremist and I don't think he fits with modern Australia at all, and he doesn't seem to listen, he's extremely conservative. I actually don't think he's that smart, I've seen him present on things I don't really pick up, there's much there, as opposed to Scott Morrison, who is a clever guy. I don't pick up that Peter Dutton is fit to be Prime Minister."[23]

References

  1. ^ "Peter Dutton confirms he'll run for leadership of the Liberal Party in wake of election loss". SBS World News. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Scott Morrison concedes defeat in Australian election". The New York Times. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Peter Dutton elected new Liberal Party leader, Sussan Ley becomes deputy leader". ABC News. 30 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Here's what's coming up on Afternoon Briefing". ABC News. 30 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Simon Birmingham to lead the Senate again". The Advertiser. 30 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Live: Morrison calls Albanese to concede electoral defeat as Labor, independents unseat Coalition". ABC News. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Scott Morrison sworn in as Prime Minister but policy direction and election strategy remains uncertain". 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Josh Frydenberg concedes Kooyong as counting continues for Victorian seats still in limbo". 9News. 23 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Peter Dutton emerges as frontrunner as Liberals seek new leader to replace Scott Morrison". ABC News. 22 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Peter Dutton poised to be next opposition leader after Scott Morrison steps down". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  11. ^ "'Last man standing' Dutton tipped to lead Liberal Party after election rout". Nine News. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  12. ^ Ciccarelli, Raffaella (22 May 2022). "The two men tipped to lead Liberal Party after election rout". Nine News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Bridget Archer considering tilt for spot on federal Liberal leadership team after Josh Frydenberg's election loss". ABC News. 23 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Liberal moderate Bridget Archer says she will 'potentially' seek party's deputy leadership". The Guardian Australia. 23 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Anthony Albanese and four senior frontbenchers sworn in ahead of Quad trip". ABC News. 23 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Peter Dutton pledges to make Liberal party a 'broad church' as he confirms leadership tilt". Guardian Australia. 26 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Karen Andrews confirms Dutton leadership, rules out contention for deputy role". Townsville Bulletin. 25 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Dutton is 'right person to lead' Liberals: Angus Taylor". Sky News Australia. 26 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Peter Dutton all but certain to lead as Liberals circle for deputy job". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Sussan Ley confirms deputy leadership nomination". Sky News Australia. 27 May 2022.
  21. ^ a b c "Tanya Plibersek apologises 'unreservedly' for comparing Peter Dutton to Voldemort | Tanya Plibersek | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Peter Dutton elected unopposed as Liberal party leader with Sussan Ley as deputy | Liberal party | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Election 2022 results: Mark McGowan blasts Peter Dutton". amp.smh.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
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