2022 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election

2022 Liberal Party of Australia
leadership election
	Leadership election
Leader before election; Scott Morrison;	Elected Leader ; Peter Dutton;
	Deputy leadership election
Deputy Leader before election; Josh Frydenberg;	Elected Deputy Leader ; Sussan Ley;

A leadership election of the Liberal Party of Australia was held on 30 May 2022,^[1] following the defeat of the Scott Morrison government at the 2022 federal election and the resignation of Morrison as party leader.^[2] The newly elected leader would become Leader of the Opposition to the Labor Party government of Anthony Albanese. A separate leadership spill for the Liberal Party's Coalition partner National Party was also held on the same day.

Peter Dutton was elected unopposed as leader, while Sussan Ley was elected unopposed as deputy leader.^[3] Dutton, who is from Queensland, is the first leader outside of New South Wales to lead the Liberal Party since Alexander Downer in 1995 from South Australia. Simon Birmingham was re-elected leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate.^[4]^[5]

Dutton is only the second Liberal leader after Downer outside of New South Wales and Victoria. Notwithstanding the party's inaugural leader and deputy leader Robert Menzies and Eric Harrison who had continued with their leadership positions from the previous United Australia Party, the election of Dutton as leader and Ley as his deputy marks the first time that both a new leader and new deputy leader were elected unopposed simultaneously.

Background

After the governing Liberal–National coalition lost power at the 2022 federal election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced his resignation as Liberal leader on election night.^[6] He had led the party since 2018 and been prime minister since Malcolm Turnbull opted not to contest the second of two leadership spills in 2018.^[7]

Meanwhile, deputy leader and outgoing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg lost his seat of Kooyong in the election, leaving the position open for election.^[8] He was considered a likely successor to Morrison if he had been re-elected to Parliament.^[9]

Candidates

Peter Dutton, Minister for Defence during the Morrison government, has been seen as the front runner to lead the Liberal Party following Morrison's resignation and Frydenberg's defeat.^[10]^[11] Outgoing Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor, Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, and Tasmanian MP Bridget Archer have also been posited as potential candidates for the leadership.^[12]^[13] Speculated candidates for the deputy leadership include Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley and Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston.^[14]^[15]

Leadership

Declared

Name		Positions	Faction	Announced
	Peter Dutton	Minister for Defence (2021–2022) MP for Dickson, Queensland (2001–present)	National Right	26 May 2022^[16]

Declined

Karen Andrews, Minister for Home Affairs (2021–2022) (endorsed Dutton)^[17]
Bridget Archer, member of the Parliament for Bass (2019–present)
Angus Taylor, Minister for Energy (2018–2022) (endorsed Dutton)^[18]
Dan Tehan, Minister for Trade (2020–2022)^[19]

Deputy leadership

Declared

Name		Positions	Faction	Announced
	Sussan Ley	Minister for the Environment (2019–2022) MP for Farrer, New South Wales (2001–present)	Centre Right	27 May 2022^[20]

Declined

Karen Andrews, Minister for Home Affairs (2021–2022)
Bridget Archer, member of the Parliament for Bass (2019–present)
Jane Hume, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and The Digital Economy, Minister for Women's Economic Security (2020–2022)
Anne Ruston, Minister for Social Services (2019–2022)
Dan Tehan, Minister for Trade (2020–2022)

Reactions

Due to Dutton being a staunch conservative from the Right faction of the Liberal Party, Dutton's election as leader of the Liberal Party was received negatively by many.

Federal politicians

Labor minister Tanya Plibersek compared Dutton to Lord Voldemort. In a radio interview, she stated:

"I think there will be a lot of children who have watched a lot of Harry Potter films who will be very frightened of what they are seeing on TV at night. I am saying he looks a bit like Voldemort. We will see whether he can do what he promised he would do when he was last running for leader, which is smile more."^[21]

Plibersek later apologised. In a radio interview, Dutton called the claims "unfortunate" but "water off a duck's back", also noting that he wasn't "bald by choice" and was diagnosed with a skin condition several years ago.^[21] Plibersek's apology was welcomed by newly-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an interview with ABC News.^[21]

Outgoing leader Scott Morrison and Moderate faction leader Simon Birmingham congratulated the party's new leadership team.^[22]

State politicians

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan referred to Dutton as an "extremist" and criticised his election as Liberal leader. He stated:

"He's an extremist and I don't think he fits with modern Australia at all, and he doesn't seem to listen, he's extremely conservative. I actually don't think he's that smart, I've seen him present on things I don't really pick up, there's much there, as opposed to Scott Morrison, who is a clever guy. I don't pick up that Peter Dutton is fit to be Prime Minister."^[23]

References

^ "Peter Dutton confirms he'll run for leadership of the Liberal Party in wake of election loss". SBS World News. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
^ "Scott Morrison concedes defeat in Australian election". The New York Times. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
^ "Peter Dutton elected new Liberal Party leader, Sussan Ley becomes deputy leader". ABC News. 30 May 2022.
^ "Here's what's coming up on Afternoon Briefing". ABC News. 30 May 2022.
^ "Simon Birmingham to lead the Senate again". The Advertiser. 30 May 2022.
^ "Live: Morrison calls Albanese to concede electoral defeat as Labor, independents unseat Coalition". ABC News. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
^ "Scott Morrison sworn in as Prime Minister but policy direction and election strategy remains uncertain". 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
^ "Josh Frydenberg concedes Kooyong as counting continues for Victorian seats still in limbo". 9News. 23 May 2022.
^ "Peter Dutton emerges as frontrunner as Liberals seek new leader to replace Scott Morrison". ABC News. 22 May 2022.
^ "Peter Dutton poised to be next opposition leader after Scott Morrison steps down". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
^ "'Last man standing' Dutton tipped to lead Liberal Party after election rout". Nine News. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
^ Ciccarelli, Raffaella (22 May 2022). "The two men tipped to lead Liberal Party after election rout". Nine News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
^ "Bridget Archer considering tilt for spot on federal Liberal leadership team after Josh Frydenberg's election loss". ABC News. 23 May 2022.
^ "Liberal moderate Bridget Archer says she will 'potentially' seek party's deputy leadership". The Guardian Australia. 23 May 2022.
^ "Anthony Albanese and four senior frontbenchers sworn in ahead of Quad trip". ABC News. 23 May 2022.
^ "Peter Dutton pledges to make Liberal party a 'broad church' as he confirms leadership tilt". Guardian Australia. 26 May 2022.
^ "Karen Andrews confirms Dutton leadership, rules out contention for deputy role". Townsville Bulletin. 25 May 2022.
^ "Dutton is 'right person to lead' Liberals: Angus Taylor". Sky News Australia. 26 May 2022.
^ "Peter Dutton all but certain to lead as Liberals circle for deputy job". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 May 2022.
^ "Sussan Ley confirms deputy leadership nomination". Sky News Australia. 27 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Tanya Plibersek apologises 'unreservedly' for comparing Peter Dutton to Voldemort | Tanya Plibersek | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
^ "Peter Dutton elected unopposed as Liberal party leader with Sussan Ley as deputy | Liberal party | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
^ "Election 2022 results: Mark McGowan blasts Peter Dutton". amp.smh.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2023.

[1] "Peter Dutton confirms he'll run for leadership of the Liberal Party in wake of election loss". SBS World News. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.

[2] "Scott Morrison concedes defeat in Australian election". The New York Times. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.

[3] "Peter Dutton elected new Liberal Party leader, Sussan Ley becomes deputy leader". ABC News. 30 May 2022.

[4] "Here's what's coming up on Afternoon Briefing". ABC News. 30 May 2022.

[5] "Simon Birmingham to lead the Senate again". The Advertiser. 30 May 2022.

[6] "Live: Morrison calls Albanese to concede electoral defeat as Labor, independents unseat Coalition". ABC News. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.

[7] "Scott Morrison sworn in as Prime Minister but policy direction and election strategy remains uncertain". 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.

[8] "Josh Frydenberg concedes Kooyong as counting continues for Victorian seats still in limbo". 9News. 23 May 2022.

[9] "Peter Dutton emerges as frontrunner as Liberals seek new leader to replace Scott Morrison". ABC News. 22 May 2022.

[10] "Peter Dutton poised to be next opposition leader after Scott Morrison steps down". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.

[11] "'Last man standing' Dutton tipped to lead Liberal Party after election rout". Nine News. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.

[12] Ciccarelli, Raffaella (22 May 2022). "The two men tipped to lead Liberal Party after election rout". Nine News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.

[13] "Bridget Archer considering tilt for spot on federal Liberal leadership team after Josh Frydenberg's election loss". ABC News. 23 May 2022.

[14] "Liberal moderate Bridget Archer says she will 'potentially' seek party's deputy leadership". The Guardian Australia. 23 May 2022.

[15] "Anthony Albanese and four senior frontbenchers sworn in ahead of Quad trip". ABC News. 23 May 2022.

[16] "Peter Dutton pledges to make Liberal party a 'broad church' as he confirms leadership tilt". Guardian Australia. 26 May 2022.

[17] "Karen Andrews confirms Dutton leadership, rules out contention for deputy role". Townsville Bulletin. 25 May 2022.

[18] "Dutton is 'right person to lead' Liberals: Angus Taylor". Sky News Australia. 26 May 2022.

[19] "Peter Dutton all but certain to lead as Liberals circle for deputy job". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 May 2022.

[20] "Sussan Ley confirms deputy leadership nomination". Sky News Australia. 27 May 2022.

[voldemort-21] "Tanya Plibersek apologises 'unreservedly' for comparing Peter Dutton to Voldemort | Tanya Plibersek | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.

[22] "Peter Dutton elected unopposed as Liberal party leader with Sussan Ley as deputy | Liberal party | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.

[23] "Election 2022 results: Mark McGowan blasts Peter Dutton". amp.smh.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2023.

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v t e Liberal Party of Australia
Leaders	Robert Menzies Harold Holt John Gorton William McMahon Billy Snedden Malcolm Fraser Andrew Peacock John Howard Andrew Peacock John Hewson Alexander Downer John Howard Brendan Nelson Malcolm Turnbull Tony Abbott Malcolm Turnbull Scott Morrison Peter Dutton
Deputy Leaders	Eric Harrison Harold Holt William McMahon John Gorton Billy Snedden Phillip Lynch John Howard Neil Brown Andrew Peacock Fred Chaney Peter Reith Michael Wooldridge Peter Costello Julie Bishop Josh Frydenberg Sussan Ley
Presidents	Malcolm Ritchie Richard Casey W. H. Anderson Lyle Moore Philip McBride J. E. Pagan Robert Southey John Atwill A. J. Forbes John Valder John Elliott Ashley Goldsworthy Tony Staley Shane Stone Chris McDiven Alan Stockdale Richard Alston Nick Greiner John Olsen
Governments	Menzies Holt Gorton McMahon Fraser Howard Abbott Turnbull Morrison
Ministries	Menzies 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Holt 1 2 Gorton 1 2 McMahon Fraser 1 2 3 4 Howard 1 2 3 4 Abbott Turnbull 1 2 Morrison 1 2
Shadow cabinets	Snedden Fraser Peacock I Howard I Peacock II Hewson Downer Howard II Nelson Turnbull Abbott Dutton
State divisions	Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory (Country Liberal Party) Queensland (Liberal National Party) South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia
Party-related organisations	Australian Liberal Students' Federation Coalition Cormack Foundation Norfolk Liberals Young Liberals Young LNP Menzies Research Centre
Factions	Moderates Centre Right Independent Liberal National Right Ginger Group (defunct) Lyons Forum (defunct)
History	Protectionist Party Free Trade Party Fusion Liberal Party National Labor Party Nationalist Party Liberal Union Australian Party United Australia Party Citizens' Municipal Organisation
Leadership contests	1966 1968 1969 1971 1972 1975 1982 1983 1985 1987 1989 1990 1993 1994 1995 2007 2008 2009 2015 (Feb) 2015 (Sep) 2018 2022