Exploring, let alone understanding, Peter Dutton the politician has been challenging at the best of times. However, after months of nail biting, one of Australia’s most famed authors is trying to provide valuable insights as to what makes Dutton tick. In doing so, Blaine attempts to reconcile Dutton’s private persona with his political image.
Much has been said and written about Peter Dutton and his all too often apparently controversial leadership style; yet, there is just one thing the commentariat agrees upon: Dutton’s political acumen.
Following the election defeat of former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison in 2022, and the surprising election loss of then treasurer Josh Frydenberg, a man widely expected to assume the leadership of the Liberal opposition in parliament, Dutton was the only credible alternative left; as ironic as it may seem, but Dutton’s ascension to the top job has always been an accident of sorts. Given his controversial record as a government minister, especially moderates in the Liberal Party worried about Dutton taking the party further to the right. Since his performance as opposition leader is a mixed bag, and recalling his continuous controversial stances on issues such as energy policy as well as immigration, some believe their worst fears are being realised. Such sentiments were initially reinforced when the Labor government made history by snatching a seat from the Liberals in theAsdon by-election last year. But accidental leaders have a neck for bouncing back, and Dutton proved no exception to this rule. Mounting cost/of/living pressures and the lost Indigenous Voice Referendum took the wind out of the government’s sails, and much needed political capital was burnt, giving Dutton the tactical opening he had been craving for. While still difficult to envisage at this stage, a few of dutton sceptics don’t rule out a victory for Dutton and the Liberals in 2025. though despite the mid-term blues afflicting the Albanese government, a Liberal win next year is still fa-fetched. How low expectations have sunk among Liberals is evident when considering that Dutton is credited with having held the party together after its defeat two years ago. Considering this to be the only feather in his cap does not exactly inspire confidence, but it is certainly true that most opposition leaders, who take the rein after a lost election are short-lived, it would be foolish to hold this against Dutton or dismiss his achievement out of hand. If this holds true, where are we with Dutton?
Author Lech Blaine has set himself the unenvious challenge to provide answers so fatefully important for Australians next year. In his essay Bad cop he employs all the tools so essential for any writer, engaging readers by synthesising the art of storytelling with insightful factual analysis. Rather than just retracing Dutton’s life and political career, he investigates Dutton as both a private persona and his well crafted political image, so vital if Dutton’s strategy to win outer suburbia stands any chance of success. Since this requires huge gains in areas strongly associated with Labor heartland, such a political gamble is risky if not outright dubious. Not just does Dutton run the risk of further alienating inner-city blue ribbon Liberal seats but essentially seems to have given up winning back middle-class electorates lost to the Teals in 2022. Indications are that charting a path to the Lodge on this basis alone will be nearly impossible, and one must wonder if Dutton is following a playbook that makes for a two term strategy. Without at least significant gains next year though, Dutton’s very survival as leader will be on the line. Perhaps the former cop from Queensland is well-advised to remember that any successful interrogation requires not just a bad cop, but a good one too. While prosecuting an election campaign has little to do with police work, one is hard pressed to find the good cop in the Liberal Party at present. The bad cop of Australian politics has his work cut out for him.
Reflective contemplations 