The Liberal Party works best as a centre-right option for voters and Peter Dutton is the warm-hearted, competent individual who can lead it, a former government minister says.
A review of the coalition’s election losses in each state will be led by Senator Jane Hume and former federal director of the Liberal Party Brian Loughnane.
Peter Dutton is expected to be elected Liberal leader when the party meets on Monday, with former environment minister Sussan Ley as deputy.
Stuart Robert, education minister in the Morrison government, defended Mr Dutton’s previous actions mocking climate change, walking out of parliament during the apology to the Stolen Generations and his position against same-sex marriage.
“You can’t judge someone on either comments they’ve made or decisions … when they’re exercising their personal conscience or their particular viewpoint,” Mr Robert told ABC Radio National.
“That has got nothing to do with the size of his heart, the quality of his character or the capacity of his intellect.”
As well as a new leader, Mr Robert says quotas to increase the number of women in the Liberal Party will also need to be considered.
“We all know that you can’t be what you can’t see, so the opportunity to get a more reflective parliament … is something we should all be focused on,” he said.
“The party works the best when it’s a sound centre-right party. When it connects with aspirational Australians and voters. When it differentiates itself very strongly from the Labor Party.”
Mr Dutton says he has the work ethic and desire to lead the party in opposition.
“I come from the suburbs. I’ve never forgotten my roots and I have those values near and dear,” he told the Nine Network.
“I want to support families who are struggling at the moment.”
Mr Robert said Mr Dutton would have a chance to show his softer side as opposition leader.
“He is a warm-hearted, very decent, competent individual … people will see the depths of his understanding, the size of his intellect and … they’ll see the size of his heart,” he said.
