Dutton might once have been ‘unelectable’, but that may change if he draws Labor into a race to the right

‘The true success of the Liberals’ political strategy is how gormless it has rendered the Labor government once the perception of a crisis took hold.’ Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

Peter Dutton is a politician born of desperate times.

When he was preselected to run for the seat of Dickson, before the 2001 election, the former Queensland police constable wasn’t considered much of a chance of winning. Labor had won the neighbouring seat of Ryan at a byelection with a 10% swing.