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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Amy Remeikis and Benita Kolovos

Dutton’s leadership safe for now, Liberals say, despite calls for change of direction after historic loss in Aston

Federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton looks at members of his frontbench as he leaves after question time in Canberra last week.
Federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton looks at members of his frontbench as he leaves after question time in Canberra last week. Questions have been raised about Dutton’s leadership after Labor’s win in the Aston byelection on Saturday. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Peter Dutton’s leadership is safe for now as the Liberals have nowhere else to turn, party insiders claim, despite their third major loss since the federal election.

With the loss of the outer east Melbourne electorate of Aston in Saturday’s byelection, the Liberal party now holds just 14 of 79 federal urban seats. It has led to renewed calls for a major overhaul of strategy and raised questions about Dutton’s leadership.

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