Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Peter Lewis

By turning his back on bipartisanship, Peter Dutton is poised to lose either way the voice referendum goes

Prime minister Anthony Albanese and leader of the opposition Peter Dutton in Canberra on Sunday.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton in Canberra on Sunday. ‘One of the untold stories of the first seven months of the Albanese government is the abject mediocracy of the opposition leader,’ writes Peter Lewis. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

If I were an evil genius hellbent on destroying the Liberal party once and for all, I would conjure into being a leader that was a lot like Peter Dutton.

I’d merge the knee-jerk, reactionary fervour of Tony Abbott with the narcissism of Scott Morrison, infusing him (and it would definitely be a “him”) with the personal charm of a Bjelke-Petersen-era drug cop.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.