Peter Dutton has made his first public appearance in Canberra since his shock defeat in the federal election, taking a subtle swipe at unnamed former Liberal leaders while pledging to bow out of politics with “graceful silence”.
The former opposition leader flew into Canberra Airport on a domestic Qantas flight early Wednesday afternoon, greeted by a small media pack eager for comment. Dutton, who lost both the election and his Queensland seat of Dickson, appeared relaxed but firm in his message.
“I think the model for me will be to lead a graceful silence,” Dutton said, adding pointedly:
“The best model I’ve seen is where leaders, former, make a graceful exit from politics and maintain their graceful silence — so that will be my model.”
Dutton’s remark maybe interpreted as a thinly veiled dig at some past Liberal figures who continued to air opinions after leaving the top job, a departure from what he now suggests should be standard practice.
Asked about how he was coping with the crushing loss, Dutton responded, “I’m very good, thank you,” and said he was looking forward to spending time with family and friends.
Dutton’s political career came to an abrupt end on election night, when he was unseated by Labor’s Ali France in the marginal seat of Dickson — a seat he had held since 2001.
Despite the heavy loss, Dutton was gracious in his concession speech on Saturday, thanking his constituents and colleagues for their support over the past 24 years and congratulating France on her win.
“The Liberal Party rebuilds from here, and that’s as it should be,” he said. However, Dutton declined to comment on who should lead that rebuild, deferring the decision to remaining party members.
Dutton avoided addressing the Coalition’s future direction but maintained his commitment to staying out of the spotlight.
“So thank you very much to all those who offered their good wishes,” he told reporters.
“There are a lot of people who’ve been very kind and generous in their remarks, and I am very grateful for that.”
Labor is projected to win 89 seats, compared to the Coalition’s 40, with 11 still in doubt.
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