Scott Morrison has fuelled speculation that he is poised to quit politics within months declaring “how good” life was despite the Aston by-election loss – as primary support for the Liberal Party crashes to 33 per cent.
As the post-mortems began over the Coalition’s shock result, the former prime minister is at the centre of speculation that he plans to accept a job overseas.
Mr Morrison shocked some colleagues by offering a cheerful assessment of how his own life was going as a backbencher despite the Aston by-election result on Sunday.
“How good! Problems elsewhere but Sharks lead by 6, but almost 20mins still to play. #upup #perspective,’’ he said on Facebook.
An exclusive Newspoll published today in The Australian shows the Coalition primary vote falling two points to 33 per cent nationally.
The two-party preferred split is 55-45 per cent, suggesting the Coalition has gone backwards since the election with a 3 per cent swing against under Peter Dutton’s leadership.
If Mr Morrison quits politics he would trigger another by-election test for Peter Dutton in the electorate of Cook in NSW.
Since he stood down from leader Mr Morrison skipped the first week of parliament for an overseas speaking gig and has accepted several engagements overseas, some of which he travelled to with a taxpayer-funded security team.
Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie told Channel 9 that the Liberal party needed to “go back to the drawing board”.
“I don’t know what they do to clean up that mess. It’s been going down and down for the last nine years. They are in a lot of trouble if they’re going to be that second force in politics and stay in the game, they really need to have a good look at themselves,” she told Channel 9.
“I don’t think they’ve got enough courage to do that right now.”
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce claimed the issue in Victoria was “structural”.
“You have to be parochial to your membership and what they believe in,” he told Sunrise.
“Roshena Campbell was a great candidate. What we have had in Victoria over a long period of time now, all the way back to Howard, is something is structurally wrong there and how they are doing business in talking to their membership.”
Peter Dutton conceded on Sunday he has “failed the test” set by Victorian voters but defiantly signalled he plans to stay on as leader.
Speaking after the historic defeat in the seat of Aston, the Liberal leader said he had no intention of standing aside amid speculation his deputy Sussan Ley could be a future leader.
“I accept responsibility and I’m the leader of the party. I was there last night to do that. I agreed to come onto the show this morning knowing that if you win, lose or draw, you need to front up,’’ Mr Dutton said on ABC’s Insiders this morning.
During the interview, host David Speers pointed out that Malcolm Turnbull said the Longman by-election was a test of his leadership and when the vote went backwards that Mr Dutton challenged him for the leadership.
“Last night was far worse for the Liberal Party in the Aston by-election. Why should you stay as leader?’’ Speers asked.
“Well, I didn’t challenge him for the leadership. Malcolm resigned as leader, but that’s ancient history,’’ Mr Dutton said.
“Should you stay as leader?’’ Speers then asked.
“Of course I should,’’ Mr Dutton said.
Albo unleashes after Dutton’s humiliation
Anthony Albanese has unleashed on Dutton after his humiliating defeat in the Aston by-election in Victoria for always saying “no”, as he hailed the Labor candidate Mary Doyle’s compassion and decency.
It is a once in a century victory for Labor, delivering the rare outcome of an incumbent government securing a seat from the opposition.
The by-election was described by Labor as “a referendum” on Mr Dutton with the campaign focused on the Liberal leader.
Mr Albanese said the voters were sick and tired of the Coalition’s negativity and he said it was a vote of support for the Voice referendum and “a government run by adults.”
“After ten years of being part of the problem, Peter Dutton now fails to be a part of the solution,‘’ Mr Albanese said.
“He’s become an observer of Australian politics rather than a participant. He has said no to renewable energy and climate change action. On The Voice to parliament and constitutional recognition, he’s not played a constructive role and everyone can see what is being played out there.”
Mr Albanese hailed Ms Doyle’s campaign for delivering the shock victory.
“Mary Doyle’s compassion, dignity and just common decency really shone through during the campaign,’’ he said.
“They voted for change.”
At 8.16pm, ABC election analyst Antony Green called the seat for Labor candidate Mary Doyle, who is on track to make history. The Labor candidate secured a swing of 6.5 per cent in early counting.
Liberal Party candidate Roshena Campbell conceded defeat soon after, with one strategist musing that local perceptions of “nastiness” within the party may have contributed to the upset.
At around 9pm, a grim-faced Dutton emerged, admitting it was “a tough night for the Liberal Party”.
Liberals labelled ‘nasty’ party
Strategist and pollster Tony Barry told the ABC coverage that what was coming out of the research was concerns the Liberal Party was “nasty”.
“Anthony Albanese is the chief spokesman for the Voice and at the moment his stocks are high. When the messenger is a good product it helps the message,‘’ he said.
“Opposing it, I think, is potentially a bit of a booby-trap for the Coalition. Not to say that there aren’t legitimate concerns about it but the perception from the electorate, the assessment, might be well, it is just the nasty party.
“The nasty party has come out of our research.
“Now it is, they are just a bit nasty. They have lost the brand of economic management.”